As Derrick Rose has been traded by the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks, fans prepare to say goodbye to an era.
While the Cleveland Cavaliers were busy celebrating their 2016 NBA Championship with a parade and rally, the rest of the basketball world was up in arms; it was announced on Wednesday afternoon that the Chicago Bulls had traded hometown hero Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks.
The news flooded through Twitter, as media sources revealed the trade and fans reacted to it.
As per usual, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a “Woj bomb” on NBA Twitter:
The Bulls are trading Rose to the Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and bigger package, sources tell @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2016
And later on, it was confirmed that this “bigger package” included Bulls guard Justin Holiday and Knicks guard Jose Calderon.
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The Bulls are sending Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 2nd-round pick for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon, per source.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2016
Although a Rose trade was speculated for some time now, supporters were shocked and saddened by the news.
Derrick Rose was supposed to be a one franchise guy, one team for life. Injuries just totally changed not only ability but career story.
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) June 22, 2016
I've always feared this day. Injuries aside, Derrick Rose is and will forever be one of my favorite players. Sad day.
— Kimberly Blight (@kim_blight) June 22, 2016
Chicago general manager Gar Forman gave a press conference about the trade later that afternoon, too.
.@ChicagoBulls GM Gar Forman talks Derrick Rose... https://t.co/oVxiONAWx7
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 22, 2016
.@chicagobulls GM Gar Forman on today's trade with @nyknicks.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 22, 2016
"We're excited about the three guys we're getting." https://t.co/fQLZZLK2SV
While also revealing that he has not been able to reach Rose personally:
Gar said he didn't talk to Rose, only agent BJ Armstrong. Said he got Rose's voice mail. I'm told Bulls had trouble reaching Rose all summer
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 22, 2016
We have reached the end of the Derrick Rose Era.
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But it was it the right move?
Some may say that getting rid of Rose was in the organization’s best interest.
After falling victim to a handful of serious injuries (and a variety of minor ones to boot), Rose’s level of play has vastly diminished over the last few years.
The 2008 No. 1 pick, who earned Rookie of the Year and subsequently Most Valuable Player in 2011, was a star on the rise when he first entered the league.
Reviving Chicago’s sinking ship, he led his team to a first-place Eastern Conference finish two years in a row (2010-11 and 2011-12), and was one of the NBA’s top guards.
But after he tore his ACL in 2012 for the first time, things changed. Despite still helping his team make the playoffs every season but this past one, individually he was not as strong.
He was forced to sit out the entirety of 2012-13 and much of 2013-14 as well, after tearing the meniscus in his other knee. He suffered the same exact injury in 2014-15, taking him out for another 20 games.
Rose went from being a player who played and started in 81 games on 37.4 minutes of play while averaging 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.0 steals a contest (2010-11), to averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 31.8 minutes per matchup, in 66 total games (2015-16).
There was also frustration in Rose’s off-court behavior, which included him alluding to the fact that his 2017 free agency payout took priority.
But things are not so black and white.
For starters, Rose cannot be blamed for the injuries he sustained. Especially when after it was all said and done, he still put up pretty decent numbers. Even if they did not quite compare to the “old” Rose.
And then there is the issue of the Bulls front office being…troubled. Perhaps if things were handled better by Forman and company, Rose would not have become so apparently disinterested in the franchise.
Plus regardless of how the last few years have shaken out, Rose is a Chicago guy, through and through. He is the reason so many fans returned to supporting the team, and has become synonymous with Chicago sports.
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It also seems as though the organization gave him away for quite cheap. Rose is still regarded as one of the league’s biggest names and although Lopez, Grant and Calderon may each possess individual strengths, they are certainly nowhere near Rose’s level of talent.
(A deeper analysis on these new guys to come…)
So what now?
Well, Rose joins Carmelo Anthony in New York and gets a fresh start at life post-injury.
As for the Bulls, they presumably continue to make moves. And as speculations about Jimmy Butler continue, yes that includes the possibility of trading him too. Because as Forman subtly tried to remind the media again, no one is safe:
must read: NBA Trade Grades: Bulls Trade Derrick Rose To Knicks
Fans were all preaching the need for a revamp, but this is probably not what they had in mind. Sigh … goodbye Rose. Chicago wishes you nothing but the best on your journey forward. And thanks you for everything you have done for the Bulls.