Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo have been through a full 360-degree experience with the New York Knicks in the past year. At this point last summer, the former Viillanova Wildcat teammates were penciled in to come off the bench in the Knicks lineup.
It started that way. Hart began the season as a backup power forward but he filled multiple roles as a starter after Julius Randle’s shoulder injury. DiVincenzo kicked off his first season as a Knick on the bench before usurping Quentin Grimes’ role in the starting lineup. Now, thanks to the presence of OG Anunoby, the addition of college teammate Mikal Bridges, and the return of Randle from injury, both Hart and DiVincenzo will likely begin the 2024-25 season on the bench.
It will be a considerable departure for Hart who played at least 40 minutes in the first nine playoff games for the Knicks, and had several games where he went the distance. DiVincenzo wasn’t far behind, averaging 35.8 minutes in the postseason. Both players were crucial to New York’s first 50-win season in over a decade. Hart provided hustle, rebounding and toughness while DiVincenzo had the best three-point shooting season in franchise history.
It’s clear they both are tone-setters and had a hand in establishing the Knicks’ identity as a physical and hard-nosed team last season. But with Anunoby and Bridges set to man both wing positions in the starting lineup, there will be significantly less minutes available on the perimeter compared to last year.
That should be an adjustment for two players who had such a pivotal role last year. If the Knicks play lineups with a traditional center like Mitchell Robinson or lean in on backup Precious Achiuwa significantly, we might see a lot less of Hart and DiVincenzo. But if head coach Tom Thibodeau entertains playing smaller lineups with Randle at the five, there should be extra time to go around for the two bench players. Also, with Anunoby, Randle and Robinson’s track record of injuries, there will likely be more minutes and starting opportunities available for Hart and DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo’s three-point shooting has become a significant strength and should open up the floor for the Knicks roster. Hart can play three different positions and his ability to rebound and create one-man fastbreak opportunities adds pace to a Knicks team that tends to play in the halfcourt too often. They both are also quality defenders capable of guarding multiple positions. It would be important to get them on the floor as much as possible.
Overall, this rotation conundrum is a good problem to have. The Knicks have more depth. The bench was an issue for the Knicks after the midseason trade to acquire Anunoby. In that deal, New York lost sixth man Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks finished the regular season ranked last in bench scoring after the trade.
Now, the Knicks have two players worthy of being starters on many teams coming off the bench. In addition, guard Miles McBride has also shown an improved ability to score. It makes for a solid rotation with multiple players on the roster capable of making an impact on both sides of the floor. Thibodeau has more weapons and lineups at his disposal. But having more depth will shine a light on rotation decisions and what lineups he uses.
