2019 NBA free agency: 5 most underrated signings

4. Detroit Pistons land former MVP Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose ascended to NBA stardom during his tenure with the Chicago Bulls. After becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, a series of knee injuries essentially derailed his career. In 2016, he was traded to the New York Knicks. Although he played reasonably well, he lasted just one season in the Big Apple.

Rose’s next stop with the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t work out too well as he was traded after just 16 games and then subsequently waived by the Utah Jazz. Fortunately, Rose reunited with former Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau and turned in a pretty decent season.

In 51 appearances, Rose put up 18.0 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds per contest. He shot 48.2 percent from the floor – the second-highest conversion rate of his career. Moreover, Rose shot a career-best 37.2 percent from 3-point range, which is quite an accomplishment, considering he’s a career 30.4 percent shooter from beyond the arc.

On the heels of his second-best season since his MVP campaign, Rose and the Detroit Pistons have reportedly agreed on a two-year deal worth $15 million.

No, Rose isn’t the same player who won the MVP back in 2011. However, if he can duplicate what he did with the Timberwolves in 2018-19, the Detroit Pistons should finish as the sixth or seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.