Grading the New York Knicks offseason moves so far: Derrick Rose: A+
I’m still unsure if this says more about Derrick Rose or the rest of the team. We’ll let Knicks fans be the judge on that. Still, he’s the leader of one of the best bench units in the league.
Even after all the injuries, Rose brings a ton of energy and that not many players, especially at age 33, can match. He’s an intelligent basketball player. Despite losing his athleticism, he still possesses some shiftiness and quickness as well as the basketball I.Q. to get to his spots and create open looks for himself and his teammates.
He’s improved his defense and his shooting. Rose is shooting career-highs from behind the arc (41.9 percent) and from the charity stripe (94.1 percent). He’s averaging 12 points in 22.9 minutes per game and has scored in double figures in 10 of his 17 appearances.
He’s led numerous comebacks and helped keep the Knicks in games when the starting lineup has failed them (which has happened way too often this season).
Rose’s value doesn’t just end on the court, though. He’s taken young players like Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin under his wing and has been a mentor to them, helping them navigate the NBA and keeping them confident and ready.
When you factor in his leadership in the locker room and at practice in conjunction with his stellar play in games, Rose is worth far more than the $13.4 million the Knicks are paying him this season.