The Knicks have agreed to acquire guard Derrick Rose from the Pistons in exchange for guard Dennis Smith Jr. and draft compensation, according to The Athletic. The move reunites Rose with Tom Thibodeau, the coach who led the Bulls while Rose became the youngest player to win MVP in league history.
Rose, 32, had been productive on a struggling Pistons team this season. The former Bull has averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 assists while playing 22.8 minutes per game off the bench. He ranked second on Detroit in scoring while shooting 43% from the field and 33% from the three-point line.
The Pistons are just 5-18 this season despite Rose’s play, however. By trading him now they get at least one more draft pick to continue assembling a young core while potentially taking a shot at resuscitating Smith’s career.
Rose saw the greatest heights of his NBA career while playing in Chicago under Thibodeau from 2010 through his first trade to the Knicks in 2016. In addition to winning MVP in 2011, Rose also led the Bulls to a league-best 62-20 record and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks will use Rose’s steady backcourt play as they try to make a playoff push with a 11-13 record. The team, led by veteran forward Julius Randle, has been competitive while it looks to the future with a young core including RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and 2020 first-round picks Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
