New York Knicks Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Kendrick Nunn, 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL)

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Derrick Rose

Continuing with a retrospective on Derrick Rose’s career, this wouldn’t be the first time he crossed paths with LeBron James either.

During James’ second run with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team acquired Rose through free agency. NBA historians will already know this, but for the sake of our younger readers: It did not work out.

That’s not to say it couldn’t this time. Rose was a different player then. Arguably, he was still finding his footing in a transitional phase between superstar and role player.

Rose has experienced a lot of success in a sixth-man role during his time with the Knicks. He could do the same for a Lakers team needing more competent initiators.

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By now, he’s worked on the weaknesses that rendered him a poor fit alongside James.

In fact, we think they’d make a perfect pairing, and we’ll tell you exactly why.