New York’s acquisition of Derrick Rose opens the door for a promising future.
The New York Knicks have acquired Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose in exchange for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant, the team announced on Wednesday.The Knicks also acquired guard Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick as part of the trade.
In acquiring Rose, New York addressed its prevailing issue at the point guard position. Grant played well down the latter stretch of last season and will continue to develop into a solid NBA point guard. Calderon’s age (34) showed last year, chasing opposing guards around screens.
Meanwhile, the former league Most Valuable Player averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists with the Bulls last season. Rose’s 66 games played in the 2015-16 campaign were the most he’s played since 2010-11.
Rose has a shaky injury history, including two major knee surgeries, but he is entering the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $21.3 million next season. If Rose doesn’t stay healthy or performs below expectations, the summer of 2017 is awash with point guards, including Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Jrue Holiday and Dennis Schroder.
Love the Derrick Rose trade to Knicks 4 Calderon, Grant and Lopez. In contract year, Rose will have to play his best. No-lose move for NYK
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 22, 2016
Source close to Rose tells me he's excited about playing for Knicks. "His 1st choice was New York (if traded). He wants the spotlight.''
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 22, 2016
The trade gives New York an All-Star caliber player at the point guard. It also gives the Knicks the best chance to thrive under Jeff Hornacek‘s up-tempo offense.
At his best, Rose, 27, is a supreme finisher in transition. New York played its fastest pace with 7-foot-3 rookie Kristaps Porzingis at the center.
Porzingis, who averaged a team-high 1.9 blocks per game, will be expected to take a bigger role at the five with Lopez now in Chicago. Opponents defended by the Latvian big man shot worse than when defended by any other Knicks player last season.
The Knicks could also target former Bulls big man Joakim Noah, who grew up in New York and has a good relationship with both Rose and Carmelo Anthony. ESPN’s Ian Begley reported some inside the organization want to make a run at Noah.
The trade also alleviates some of the pressure placed on Anthony by adding a second reliable playmaker to the offense. Anthony ranked twelfth in the NBA with a 29.7 usage percentage last season and led the Knicks in points, rebounds and assists per game. Rose’s presence will take a load off.
In acquiring Rose, New York also managed to acquire a high-caliber player at little hit to its salary cap. Both Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams became free agents on Tuesday, giving the Knickerbockers more than $30 million to sign free agents this summer. New York is reportedly interested in bringing Williams back next season.
The Knicks do not have a shooting guard on its roster, and can pursue DeMar DeRozan, Dwyane Wade, Bradley Beal, Kent Bazemore or Jordan Clarkson in free agency. New York could also offer Kevin Durant a max contract worth $28.2 million.
The Knicks roster currently consists of Anthony, Porzingis, Rose, Holiday and Kyle O’Quinn, with qualifying offers remaining for Cleanthony Early and Langston Galloway. New York has no picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft but is looking to buy a late first or early second-round pick.
Squad. #Knicks pic.twitter.com/Bnu0bDQZdF
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 22, 2016
