The New York Knicks finally addressed their need for a point guard this NBA offseason when they signed Jalen Brunson away from the Dallas Mavericks. Brunson is everything that the Knicks have been needing for years as his presence is already paying dividends.
He is helping not only set the table for his teammates but is an efficient scorer as well. When the team needs a basket, Brunson steps up and delivers.
His ball security has remained excellent as well despite the increase in ball handling opportunities not as the focal point of the offense, and not a secondary playmaker as he was alongside Luka Doncic.
Having him on the roster makes things easier for everyone. Tom Thibodeau can pencil him into the lineup every night for 32+ minutes a game, a luxury he has not been afforded since taking over the Knicks’ head coaching job.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks & Phoenix Suns Updates
With Brunson cemented as the starter, it has led to the team scaling back the minutes of Derrick Rose. Rose is averaging only 12.3 minutes per game as Immanuel Quickley is handling a bulk of the point guard duties with the second unit, playing 22.3 minutes per game.
The two have been an electric pairing off the bench since Rose was acquired from the Detroit Pistons in 2020 as Quickley played off the ball. With IQ now handling more of the playmaking role, it has pushed Rose down the depth chart, which one NBA scout believes presents an opportunity for the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns need help with their second unit, especially with Jae Crowder holding out for a trade. The scout believes that Rose would be an intriguing target for insurance behind Chris Paul in the backcourt.
“The Suns could use another guard capable of getting into the paint and make plays. I think Derrick Rose would make lots of sense there. They could have an easier time managing Chris Paul’s workload throughout the season, too. … The Knicks seem to be cutting his minutes with how many other guards they have, so maybe they’d be open to a deal.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks & Phoenix Suns Updates
The scaling back of minutes could be part of the team’s strategy to ensure that Rose can remain healthy throughout the season. He has battled injuries throughout his second tenure with the Knicks and knowing they have some expectations this season, could be looking to preserve him until they really need him.
Phoenix could offer Crowder and Josh Okogie in exchange for Rose, as that would work under the league’s salary cap rules. New York could use a little depth at small forward and Crowder would fit the mold of the kind of hard-nosed, defensive-minded player that Thibodeau likes.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks & Phoenix Suns Updates
But, it is hard to imagine the Knicks moving Rose, who is one of Thibodeau’s favorite players. He is a respected veteran on the roster and with Taj Gibson no longer on the team, Rose’s departure would leave a sizable void on the team that goes beyond minutes and production on the court.
