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2022 Free Agents - Donte DiVicenzo

Summary
DiVicenzo established himself as a starter for a championship contender, starting each game he played for the Bucks in '20-'21 before injuring his ankle early in the playoffs and missing the final parts of Milwaukee's title run. After returning from injury mid-way through the '21-'22 season, DiVicenzo struggled and was eventually traded to Sacramento.

DiVicenzo has some off-the-dribble ability, but the majority of his baskets are still assisted, as on-ball creation just wasn't his role with Milwaukee, and I wouldn't expect it to be with any other team either unless he makes significant improvements in that area. He hit 38% from three in '20-'21, but is only a career 35% shooter from distance, which is about average. He has also really struggled to finish at the rim over the last two seasons, after finishing well in that area to start his career. If he can continue to improve his outside shooting, like he had done each year of his career prior to '21-'22, he could become an above-average starter.

DiVicenzo is a solid defender, as he can stay in front of his man on the ball and does a good job of fighting through screens. He also rebounds well for his position and has a high steal rate.

Luke Kennard got 4-years, $56 million, so I would be demanding more than that if I were DiVicenzo and his agent. DiVicenzo could be hurt by the restricted free agent market, since not many teams will have cap space, and his recent inability to stay healthy could also hurt him, but I would expect him and the Kings to be able to come to a reasonable deal.
 
Cap Considerations
DiVicenzo will be a restricted free agent with a $14 million cap hold, a $6.6 million Qualifying Offer, and full Bird rights. I wouldn't expect DiVicenzo's QO to come into play, but I wouldn't completely rule it out as I could see a scenario where his market is dry as a restricted free agent and the Kings play some hardball if they're not sold on him long-term.

From other teams, DiVicenzo will be looking for a 4-year, $60+ million offer, and it would likely take something near that in order for Sacramento to not match. In addition, adding a 15% trade bonus, a player option, and some advances on his salary could make it more difficult for Sacramento to match. DiVicenzo will likely get offers above the full MLE, so only teams with cap space will be able to sign him. However, there's a chance he could be had for the full MLE, which would be 4-years, $44.5 million, in which case teams without cap space would be able to sign him.

Potential Teams: Kings, Magic, Spurs, Pistons, Pacers

Predicted Contract: 3-year, $45 million with the Kings

Actual Contract: 2-year, $9.2 million (2nd year player option), 15% trade bonus, with the Warriors

The first hint that the market was low on DiVicenzo was that he didn't even get a Qualifying Offer from Sacramento, which made him an unrestricted free agent. Despite being unrestricted, he still struggled to get any lucrative offers and signed a 1+1 with Golden State for less than the Taxpayer MLE. If DiVicenzo gets back to the way he played in his 2nd-3rd years is the league, he could get good offers in 2023, and the Warriors would have trouble retaining him with only his Non-Bird rights.

Last updated: 7/10/2022

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