Is this former MVP the missing piece to an elusive Phoenix Suns title?

Through all the injuries that Derrick Rose has dealt with in his career, it has left most NBA fans wishing for him to add one more thing to his list of achievements– an NBA championship.

The youngest MVP in NBA history has spent the past few seasons in the league being counted out by the media to proving them all wrong. From his 50-point game in 2018, his impressive play with the Detroit Pistons and leading the New York Knicks in scoring for the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Rose has continued to make memorable stamps on NBA history after winning the MVP award in 2011.

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However, the current trajectory of the New York Knicks has brought uncertainty to Rose’s future with the team. The Knicks have bought into a younger rotation to build for what lies ahead. This leaves veterans on the team such as Evan Fournier and, of course, Rose in a tricky situation.

Will the New York Knicks agree to a buyout with Derrick Rose?

The first question that needs to be asked is will the Knicks agree to buying Rose out?

There has been very few reports even linking Rose and the Knicks to a buyout. However, the smartest decision would be for New York to agree to one. After this season, the team has an option to pick up a $15.6 million club option for the 2023-2024 NBA season. The likelihood of them doing so for a player that is not being pictured as a part of the rotation is low.

If the Knicks want to commit to young and versatile players to bolster their defensive identity, there are more than 100 current unrestricted free agents under the age of 25. Especially with a tight rotation like Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau utilizes, the money that could be freed up from buying out Rose could add multiple young prospects to the team.

Even though New York has used the three-time NBA All-Star as an assistant coach for most of the season, some teams would embrace using Rose both on and off the court. The most recent team to be linked to such rumors is the Phoenix Suns.

Would Derrick Rose help the Phoenix Suns?

When looking at the roster in Phoenix, they have become one of the league’s scariest starting lineups in the past few weeks. Trading for Kevin Durant would put any team in contention status. But when you factor in that he is going to a team with a winning culture and playoff experience over the past several seasons, it only adds to the pressure this team will put on the rest of the association.

However, when you move to their bench lineup, the questions start to rise. This Phoenix team has not been entirely deep since adding Chris Paul in 2020. And over the years, Paul’s numbers have declined with Phoenix. While Cameron Payne has shown great spurts or success with the Suns, the consistency has not always been there. At the very least, Paul has remained a consistent true point guard over his entire career.

Enter Rose, someone who has plenty of playoff experience and historically has elevated his game in such situations.

Career Averages:

• Season = 17.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.3 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 45.6% FG, 31.6% 3PT, 83.1% FT
• Playoffs = 22.4 PPG, 6.5 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 42.7% FG, 32.4% 3PT, 84.5% FT

The Suns would be adding a player who, much like Paul, maintains control over the game and plays like a true point guard. While Rose can act as a combo-guard at times, he always looks to make the best play possible whether its him or his teammates.

Over the past half-decade, Rose is shooting roughly 36 percent on three-point attempts per game in more than 200 appearances on the court. While the shooting percentage this season has not been great, part of that is from an inconsistent role. As the primary playmaker off the bench, Rose’s role would be defined and it can be expected that his consistency comes back into form.

Phoenix is already destined to make a deep playoff run. But what if Paul gets injured? There have been several occasions in the playoffs where he has, with nobody to take over. Of course, Rose has an injury history as well. But the probability of both of them getting severely injured in the same playoff run would seem impervious.

In a winning environment, one can expect Rose to provide playmaking, shooting and intensity on both ends of the floor. After all, he has been in a position of being doubted before. And succeeded.