Don’t underestimate how desperate the New York Knicks are to upgrade their point guard situation this offseason.
According to a report by Ian Begley of ESPN on Friday, the Knicks have recently had internal discussions about swinging a trade for former MVP Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
The Knicks have had internal discussions about trading for Derrick Rose, ESPN sources say. More here: https://t.co/p6Wf1elUrq
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 17, 2016
Rose is still just 27 years old, but by now, the fact that he’s damaged goods thanks to multiple devastating knee injuries over the years is something that has been repeated ad nauseam. The three-time All-Star averaged a respectable 16.4 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game in 2015-16. But he has struggled with efficiency for a long time now, thanks largely to a hesitance to attack the rim that has led to an over-reliance on his below-average jumper. Rose has also been plagued by rumblings of backcourt chemistry issues with All-Star teammate Jimmy Butler, as they are both players who need to have the ball in their hands in order to be successful.
But on the Knicks’ end of things, the state of affairs at point guard last season was nothing short of fetid. With no other options available, they were forced to throw into the fire the likes of 34-year-old cadaver Jose Calderon, low-upside D-League castaway Langston Galloway, and untested rookie Jerian Grant. That just won’t cut it in a league dominated by excellence from the point guard position. The Knicks have also been linked to Mike Conley’s free agency as it’s clear they are not satisfied with the cast of characters they currently have at the position.
The Knicks are without a pick in this year’s draft, however, and Latvian demigod Kristaps Porzingis (a guy Phil Jackson wouldn’t trade away if the fate of the free world depended on it) seems like their only truly valuable young piece. Still, Rose’s trade value isn’t all that high right now, and given that the Bulls appear much more willing to trade him away rather than Butler and could opt to blow up their core and bottom out after a woefully disappointing 2015-16 campaign, Rose to Madison Square Garden is an endgame to at least keep an eye out for.
