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Knicks Trade Rumors: Derrick Rose Move Being Discussed with Pistons
February 7, 2021
The New York Knicks are engaged in "active trade talks" with the Detroit Pistons to acquire point guard Derrick Rose, per Shams Charania and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Yahoo's Vincent Goodwill added that a Pistons-Knicks deal sending Rose to New York is "close."
A trade to the Knicks would mark Rose's second stint in New York as well as his second go-around under head coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached the 2010-11 NBA MVP when the two were with the Chicago Bulls from 2010 to 2015.
Charania and Edwards explained why Rose's time with Detroit is likely ending:
"The Pistons and Rose mutually agreed that a trade would be best for both sides, per sources. While there is a great deal of respect for one another, the rebuilding Pistons plan to increase their usage of young players as the season progresses, according to those sources. Rose, meanwhile, has continued to show on the floor that he could improve a team that is in title or playoff contention."
The 5-17 Pistons hold the NBA's worst record following a three-game losing streak. Rose has been effective during his limited court time, though, averaging 14.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game.
As for whom the Pistons could receive in return, SNY's Ian Begley mentioned a recent Knicks first-round pick.
"Frank Ntilikina is one player who has come up in discussions between Pistons and Knicks about a potential Derrick Rose trade," Begley tweeted.
The 22-year-old Ntilikina, who the Knicks selected eighth overall in 2017, has only played four games this year, averaging 4.5 points in 10.5 minutes per game. He missed time with a right knee sprain but hasn't seen the court over the last two games despite being cleared.
Ntilikina might be hard-pressed to find playing time with the 11-13 Knicks, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference and playing competitive basketball of late. A move to the Pistons could help rejuvenate his career as Detroit rebuilds.
As for Rose, he could help a Knicks team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. New York is still far from seriously contending for an NBA crown, but making the playoffs this year could be hugely beneficial for the Knicks' young core players, such as Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.