Now that Towns is in New York, there is not a player or coach remaining from Brunson’s time in Minnesota. But these players already admire DiVincenzo’s toughness and grit, something they could have used last season when they flamed out against Dallas in the Western Conference finals.

Donte DiVincenzo showed why the Minnesota Timberwolves wanted him so badly in the trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks during Sunday's preseason game between the two teams, and Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards loves the early returns on the trade as he gets acclimated to playing with DiVincenzo.