Donte DiVincenzo has made a positive impression during his first four seasons in the NBA. The Villanova product was originally drafted but the Bucks with the 17th pick in the 2018 draft. He was a key part of the Bucks' rotation during his time in Milwaukee before being traded to the Kings last year. DiVincenzo averaged 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 assists during his 26.6 minutes per game.
While he seemingly made a positive impact during his time in Sacramento, the Kings did not extend a qualifying offer to the 6’4” guard. This makes Donte DiVincenzo an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Heading into his fifth season in the NBA with a desirable playstyle and ability the market will be hot for DiVincenzo. He is sure to have his choice of landing spots but here are the three best potential destinations for the 25-year-old.
3 best destinations for Donte DiVincenzo in 2022 NBA free agency
Lakers
There are some massive holes on the Los Angeles Lakers roster right now. While the addition of Donte DiVincenzo would be far from the only solution, it is a positive place to start. The Lakers simply need to add depth with quality players and DiVincenzo certainly fits this description. He averaged 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals with the Kings in his half seasons with the Kings. The athletic guard has a well-rounded style of play and is capable of playing high-caliber minutes with the Lakers' second unit. DiVincenzo filled this role perfectly with the Bucks and could do the same in Los Angeles.
One of the key storylines to watch with the Lakers is what happens with Malik Monk. The Kentucky product was the sole bright spot for the Lakers last season and the desire from LA is to bring him back. If Monk elects to prioritize a bigger paycheck and explore options outside of LA, he likely will find one. Donte DiVincenzo would be an excellent replacement for Malik Monk if he does walk. DiVincenzo may not be as high-level of a scorer but his well-rounded play and high IQ would fit alongside LeBron James and the rest of the roster.
Sixers
The Sixers have some newfound salary cap flexibility following James Harden’s decision to opt out and take a more team-friendly deal. They also are in the market for two-sided role players which is exactly the category Donte DiVincenzo fits in. The 25-year-old could make a return to his collegiate home of Philadelphia and play a key role immediately. The Sixers bench has let them down greatly in the past few seasons and should be the main priority of free agency,
When looking at the Sixers' current bench unit, it is clear what an impact DiVincenzo would make. The rotational pieces of Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, and Georges Niang simply have not been good enough. The lack of bench production has been a major reason for their inability to get over the playoff hump. The holes in each of their respective games have proven too large to make up for their strength. Each weakness is put on display in the postseason and the team needs two-way players. The athleticism, impressive rebounding for his size, and two-way ability would make DiVincenzo a great addition.
Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are set to make a large leap forward this season. Largely due to the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr, expectations are greatly raised. The team recently made news by shipping off Monte Morris and Will Barton in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Iso Smith. While there is a real argument for KCP being an upgrade in the rotation, Denver will need to add more bodies.
Donte DiVincenzo would be a terrific fit for the Nuggets as well. His ability to cut off the ball would be further unlocked by playing alongside Nikola Jokic. The former NBA champ would also be an asset on the defensive side of the ball which would help the Nuggets greatly. While he was hurt for the tail-end of the Bucks’ championship, he still has experience playing at a high stakes level. The combination of DiVincenzo’s experience and potential for growth would make him a terrific addition to the Nuggets as they look to take the next step.
It was surprising news to see the Kings elect not to extend a qualifying offer to Donte DiVincenzo. Sacramento is doing its best to grow into a contender in the short term. Guys just like DiVincenzo are crucial to gluing the team together as he would have been an effective role player. It is still possible that he may have just opted out to sign a more long-term deal with the Kings. However, if he hopes to continue the journey to his greatest development these would be the best three landing spots.
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