New York Knicks: Grading their signings in NBA free agency

New York Knicks free agency signing No. 5: Derrick Rose

The Knicks had a major upgrade last season when they sent Dennis Smith and a 2021 second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons and received Derrick Rose in return. Rose has had a career revival over the past few seasons and you can see that playing basketball means so much to him.

The 32-year-old was incredible last season. He has always been talented as evidenced by his MVP season in 2011 and the fact that he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Injuries threatened to derail his career, especially in 2017-18. However, his 50 point game for the Minnesota Timberwolves, which left him in tears, showed the NBA that he still has what it takes.

Rose has been playing well off the bench for the past two or three seasons and is almost back to his explosive best. He was arguably the best player for the Knicks in their first-round matchup against the Hawks and there should be no reason he cannot perform the same way again this season.

With the talent the Knicks have signed, there will be less pressure for Rose to perform every night. However, this means that he will have less defensive pressure on him and the Knicks’ second unit will be the stronger for it.

Grade: A