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Knicks could target Golden State Warriors’ guard to reunite college teammates

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Kevon Looney #5, Donte DiVincenzo #0, and Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Kevon Looney #5, Donte DiVincenzo #0, and Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have a critical free agency period ahead of them starting on June 30, with their major priorities surrounding the retainment of two critical players who could become free agents.

Draymond Green and Donte DiVincenzo both hold player options for next season, and they’re each expected to opt out in order to attain longer-term deals. While Green is likely to stay at the only NBA franchise he’s ever known, it could well be a very different story for DiVincenzo.

The Golden State Warriors are going to have a tough time retaining Donte DiVincenzo, with the New York Knicks a possible suitor for the 26-year-old.

Earlier in the week, The Athletic’s John Hollinger projected that DiVincenzo would “seek greener pastures” in leaving the Bay after one season. Only able to offer a maximum of $5.4 million per season, the Warriors are practically perilous in retaining the fifth-year guard.

But what teams could actually steal DiVincenzo from Golden State? If New York Knicks’ wing Josh Hart has anything to do with it, then the 2021 NBA champion will be playing in the Big Apple next season. Speaking with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, Hart certainly wasn’t subtle in his interest of bringing DiVincenzo to New York.

If the Knicks were to pry DiVincenzo away from the Warriors, it would reunite three former Villanova teammates at New York in the space of 12 months. Jalen Brunson joined in free agency last year, and Hart was traded to the franchise from Portland on trade deadline day on February 9.

The trio played together at Villanova for two seasons which included the 2016 NCAA championship. Hart finished his four years and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft, but Brunson and DiVincenzo remained as teammates to win a second championship in their junior year.

While Hart could certainly play a part in attracting DiVincenzo to New York, the 28-year-old actually has his own decision that he should solidify first. Hart too has a player option for next season —  for what it’s worth Hollinger believes he’ll opt in and then extend with the Knicks.

Next. Ranking 3 free agent forwards the Golden State Warriors could target. dark

DiVincenzo’s form in 2022-23 means he’s likely to garner two, perhaps three times more than his $4.7 million player option. It’s beginning to feel more and more like a foregone conclusion that he won’t be back with the Warriors next season.

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