Chris Mullin thinks there is bad blood between Donte DiVincenzo and the Knicks: "He got surprised by that deal"

No one was mad that the New York Knicks included Julius Randle in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. However, Donte DiVincenzo also being in the deal raised eyebrows, especially after DDV emerged as one of the team's standout players in the 2024 playoffs.

Donte made his dissatisfaction known to Rick Brunson and the Knicks bench in their preseason matchup, proving to Chris Mullin that he has bad blood with his former team.

Mullin feels DiVincenzo wasn't prepared to be traded

Much of the credit for the Knicks securing the second seed and advancing to the second round of the playoffs last season was attributed to Jalen Brunson, who emerged as the floor general the franchise desperately craved. However, DiVincenzo also deserved praise after a career year, averaging 15.5 points on 40.1 percent shooting from the three-point line.

When more injuries hit the Knicks in the second round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, the Delaware native elevated his performance, averaging 22.7 points on a stellar 46.3 percent shooting from behind the arc over the seven-game series.

But despite being a key piece of New York's success last season, DiVincenzo was still used as a trade piece to acquire KAT. That, according to Mullin, frustrates the 27-year-old.

"Obviously, there's some bad blood there. That trade came out and left field. He's coming off his best season. He had a great season - made the most threes in Knicks' history. So, he had a great, great year, chemistry was there," Mullin said on the "Come Talk 2 Me" podcast. "So, he kinda got surprised by that deal. I don't know many people that want to go from New York to Minnesota, so that's another factor."

Donte can prove his worth with T-Wolves

Still, DiVincenzo should consider the positive side of the trade. The 27-year-old's minutes should increase in Minnesota, and he should get more chances to cause havoc from the long range, especially when playing alongside Anthony Edwards, who creates open looks for his teammates by charging toward the rim.

DiVincenzo may have vocalized his displeasure with the trade, but his increased role with the T-Wolves will provide the guard with the perfect platform to prove that the Knicks were wrong to get rid of him.

Related: Anthony Edwards adds fire to Donte DiVincenzo-Knicks drama: "You can't be mad at him, man"