Should Knicks Consider Derrick Rose Trade Ahead of Deadline amid Latest NBA Rumors?

Derrick Rose hasn't played in a game for the New York Knicks since Dec. 31. The 34-year-old point guard isn't injured. Instead, he's been serving in a mentor role for the team without stepping foot on the court.

It makes sense that Rose is no longer part of the Knicks' rotation. He's averaging only 5.8 points in 26 games and shooting 39.4 percent from the field. The 14-year veteran wasn't getting much playing time (12.9 minutes per contest), but he also wasn't too effective when he did get into games.

Still, New York head coach Tom Thibodeau thinks Rose has been a valuable member of the team this season, which he joined midway through the 2020-21 campaign.

"He's been great. In whatever role you ask Derrick to play, he embraces it," Thibodeau said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. "He's always been a team-first guy. So I know he's always ready."

However, that doesn't guarantee Rose will remain in New York for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign. In fact, there's been some buzz picking up about a potential trade.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Milwaukee Bucks have "expressed trade interest" in Rose. A deal would need to come together by Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, which is the league's trade deadline.

It's a bit surprising that a team is interested in acquiring Rose. He's making $14.52 million this season, and it's unlikely he returns to the form he showed even a few years ago.

But Rose is a valuable veteran to have in a locker room, and the Bucks are a top championship contender. Perhaps adding him to the mix in some type of mentor role off the bench could boost Milwaukee's title odds even further.

The Knicks don't have to get rid of Rose, though. The Athletic's Fred Katz reported late last month that the team "could keep Rose through the end of the season and use his contract structure to their advantage."

"One concept the team has floated, according to league sources, is the possibility of hanging on to Rose just in case a star trade arises heading into the 2023 NBA Draft, which comes before the Knicks have to decide on Rose's $15.6 million team option for 2023-24," Katz wrote.

In that scenario, New York could pick up that option and package Rose with Evan Fournier in a deal, per Katz. Of course, that wouldn't work if the Knicks trade Fournier before Thursday's deadline, which is also a possibility.

But if Milwaukee is willing to take Rose now, New York would likely be wise to work out a trade. It's not a guarantee the Knicks would be able to get anything in exchange for him later, and they're unlikely to use him in any substantial on-court role the rest of the way.

Plus, Rose has never won an NBA title. He likely doesn't have many years in the league left, so it could be nice to see him get a legitimate opportunity to win a championship before he retires.

So while New York shouldn't feel pressured to move Rose, it should explore the possibility of sending him to Milwaukee. It could end up working out well for both sides.