Why Derrick Rose To The Knicks Makes Total Sense

When you read a headline that says something to the line of “D-Rose traded to the Knicks” immediately and predictably skepticism arises. You cant blame New Yorkers either. Knick fans have been taught to be pessimists and the last 15 years have been nothing short of realization.

But Derrick Rose being traded to the Knicks is absolutely common sense in my eyes and the right thing to do for the bigger picture.

Here is the official breakdown of the deal.

"The Bulls are trading Rose to the Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and bigger package", sources tell @TheVertical.

"Chicago is also sending a 2017 second round pick to New York, sources tell The Vertical.
via Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical

Chicago is also sending a 2017 second round pick (and guard Justin Holiday) to New York, sources tell The Vertical. New York is sending guard Jose Calderon to Chicago, league sources tell The Vertical.
via Shams Charania of The Vertical"


To me the key piece of this deal and why I heavily co-signed on it for the get go was the ability for New York to move C Robin Lopez. Lopez is very productive and their prize piece in free agency last summer. But moving Lopez off the books who has 3 more years left on his current deal put the Knicks in prime position to have approximately $60 million in cap room assuming this is the lone splash they make this summer.

Why is this significant? Here’s why….

While he did announce this week that he’s taking free agency meetings in Los Angeles beginning July 1st, many including myself expect Kevin Durant to sign a 2 year/1 year player option to remain Oklahoma City and try to attain championship dreams alongside Russell Westbrook one more time. If that were to be the case and Durant opts out next summer, both he AND Westbrook will be free agents in 2017. The Knicks will have the cash and some pull to make a play for one, if not both.

There’s always the lingering LeBron effect as well. While he did say at the championship parade in Cleveland that he doesn’t see himself leaving “at this time”, who’s to say next year he get antsy and decides to look outside Ohio once again. Not saying the Knicks are in play for him but with the endless cap room projected for them next summer, its not out of the realm of possibility for Phil Jackson to sell the idea of LeBron playing alongside one of his best friends, Carmelo Anthony who he has expressed in the past that he would love to play alongside him and Chris Paul before their careers come to a close.

So where does this leave Derrick Rose?

Well, last season he played 66 out of 82 games. For a guy who missed nearly two full seasons of basketball prior, that’s actually a significant victory. But more-so it’s really not a huge investment for the Knicks.

Rose is currently on the last year of his monster contract he signed in 2012 and basically he becomes a one year rental in New York so Rose comes into next season with alot to prove in order to garner another substantial contract in free agency next summer.

If it fails for New York, its really no big deal. Rose would be a free agent anyway and the Knicks could just look away and spend their $60 million elsewhere.

​Whether New York Knicks fans believe it or not, they won the day!