Knicks get early reunion with new Timberwolves players Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo

The preseason schedule is normally a time for fans to get a glimpse of the latest incarnation of a team, welcoming and cheering on newly-acquired players, glimpsing rookies and ignoring the opposition. But Sunday evening, it figures to be different at Madison Square Garden as the Minnesota Timberwolves arrive.

Even for the players it feels like a too-soon moment, bringing together the Knicks and Timberwolves just about two weeks after the trade that remade both of the contending squads. Karl-Anthony Towns gets a visit from the teammates he developed with after spending nine seasons in Minnesota. And the fans get to welcome back Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who departed in the deal after helping turn the Knicks franchise around.

“I think the whole thing was quick and kind of unusual,” Josh Hart said. “A trade three days before training camp started, so that was already kind of weird because that weekend you’re kind of gearing up for training camp that upcoming Monday. So that was unusual and then obviously we’ve got to play them on Sunday. It’s a little unusual, but the NBA’s a crazy business.”

It does seem early for the once-a-Knick-always-a-Knick treatment, but the two former Knicks figure to be welcomed kinder than most opponents. Randle, who is unlikely to play as he continues to rehabilitate his surgically-repaired right shoulder, spent five seasons in New York and earned three All-Star berths. He was a two-time All-NBA selection, a key piece in the early turn before Jalen Brunson arrived.

DiVincenzo then signed on last summer and in one season emerged as a starter early in the season and a key contributor. He set a franchise record for three-point field goals in a single season and delivered huge moments like the game-winning three-pointer in Game 2 of the opening round of the playoffs against Philadelphia.

“Both him and Julius contributed so much to the organization. to the team,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “So there’s great appreciation for them and what they did. So it’s part of our league and we certainly wish them well. I’ve got great respect for them. I know their teammates do. I know the organization does. I think our fans do as well. They were a big part of the winning."

“I talked to him the night of the trade,” Hart said of DiVincenzo. “I probably talked to him three or four days since and I mean, obviously it’s a tough one. It’s part of the business, but I’m just like, I miss my dog, man. So I think he should be received with cheers and ovation for everything he did for the team last year. He put himself and his body on the line and brought it every night. So he should get a warm welcome.”

The odd twist is that with DiVincenzo joining Hart and Brunson last season the three college teammates earned acclaim for the reunion of their NCAA champion Villanova squad. Then the team traded for Mikal Bridges earlier this summer, giving the Knicks four Villanova alumni, forming a much-anticipated “Nova Knicks grouping. DiVincenzo was dealt away before they ever got to play together, but a GQ feature arrived this week with a Photoshop of the four of them together.

“I don’t think it’s weird,” Hart said of seeing the photos. “It’s just I think that was like the first time that it hit me, like [expletive], [Divincenzo's] gone. That was something that we were really looking forward to, and unfortunately, we weren’t able to do it.”

Hart then added jokingly, referring to Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure in free agency that created the vacancy at center and an opening to trade for Towns, “I feel like we should blame Isaiah Hartenstein. I feel like it’s all his fault, so, thank you Zay. Appreciate it.”

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.