NBA Trade Grades: Derrick Rose traded for Dennis Smith Jr.

NBA trade grades season starts early this year after the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks swap Derrick Rose for Dennis Smith Jr., as well as the Charlotte Hornets’ 2021 second-round pick. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first with full reported details.

Derrick Rose had sat out the last few games for the Pistons and on Saturday night the news came out that he and the organization had decided a trade was in their mutual best interests. Last season there was trade buzz surrounding Rose, but nothing ever developed. This season, however, as he has an expiring team-friendly contract, time was becoming essential.

NBA trade grades for the Derrick Rose, Dennis Smith Jr. trade

As for Dennis Smith Jr., he’s struggled greatly this season for the Knicks. So much so that he asked for a G League assignment to get minutes and reps. With the Pistons, he may not need such an assignment. It’s a team that is tanking the right way, and he’ll get the opportunity to figure things out.

He also gets the benefit of working with an organization that has shown a flair for reclamation projects. A year ago the Pistons were the beneficiaries of Christian Wood’s breakout campaign, and this season Josh Jackson has salvaged his own career with a great start. Dennis Smith Jr. could be just the next wayward player that head coach Dwane Casey gets to set back on the right path.

The Knicks are a team that was on an upward trajectory with a youth movement well underway, and Rose’s injection into the lineup could impact them in a number of different directions.

The deal is as follows:

We’ll take a look at this deal from the perspective of both teams, starting with the Detroit Pistons.