New York Knicks: Pros and cons of pursuing Derrick Rose trade
By Dalton Sell
The New York Knicks have had another rough start to the 2020-21 season, currently sitting at 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings with an 8-11 record.
While that might not seem impressive, these are not the same old Knicks. Newly-appointed head coach Tom Thibodeau has changed the culture immediately since his arrival. The Knicks have transformed into one of the league’s premier defensive teams under the former Coach of the Year winner, currently boasting the fifth-best defensive rating in the league.
With Thibodeau at the helm, the Knicks have high expectations for this season, and it appears they are all-in on making a postseason run. In fact, recent reporting suggests that the Knicks could be looking across the trade market for potential reinforcements to bolster their roster.
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The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in making a trade for former league MVP Derrick Rose.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania ($$), one specific target is Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons. Rose spent one season with the Knicks from 2016-17 after the team traded for him the summer before, and now, it appears that they are eyeing a reunion all these years later.
With Tom Thibodeau coaching, this reported interest in Rose should not come as much of a surprise, as he has always kept close with his former players. When he was running the show for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thibodeau brought in several of his former players from his time with the Chicago Bulls, including Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, and of course, Derrick Rose.
In fact, Thibodeau likely saved Rose’s career when the guard was seemingly headed toward retirement after being ravaged by countless injuries. However, the coach gave Rose a chance in Minnesota, and in the several years since then, the guard has rejuvenated his career.
Aside from that Rose and Thibodeau connection, these latest rumors are compelling for several reasons but could also be disastrous. With that being said, here are the pros and cons of the Knicks swinging a trade for the former MVP winner.