New York Knicks Receive: G Derrick Rose & TOR 2021 2nd Round Pick (via DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: G Dennis Smith Jr. & NYK 2023 1st Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
Not only has Derrick Rose proven that he can still play at a high-level in this NBA after suffering some gruesome knee injuries, but he has revitalized his career and become an asset to playoff-caliber teams on the trade market. With him being in the final year of his contract with Detroit and the Pistons just drafting Killian Hayes 7th overall to be the point guard of the future, they should be very willing to trade the veteran point guard for young talent and draft picks.
In the last two seasons with Minnesota and Detroit, Derrick Rose has played in 101 games and has averaged 18.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and shot 48.6% from the floor. While he is not the MVP-caliber player he once was, Derrick Rose can still contribute at a high-level and can make a difference for the Knicks both on and off the court as a veteran leader.
Rose is only owed $7.6M this season, making him very affordable for the Knicks and if they wish not to keep him after this year, they have the luxury to do so and explore other options via free agency. The best thing this Knicks organization can do right now is find ways to win and bringing in Derrick Rose does so.
For years now, New York has been trying to lure All-Star level players to come play for them and flip this franchise around from its losing ways, but no player has wanted to go there over the years because of their lack of success. If this team can prove they are on the right track to winning this season and bring in Rose to help prove that, then they will absolutely have All-Star level players wanting to come play in the “Mecca” of professional basketball.
On the other side of things, Detroit would be getting a very athletic, young guard with a lot of potential and a future first-round pick. Both assets are exactly what they are looking for as they look to polish off their rebuild process and continue building a youthful core for the future.
With all of that being said, let’s dive deeper into why this trade makes sense for both the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks.
