The New York Knicks have acquired point guard Derrick Rose from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round pick.
The deal brought Rose back to New York for another stint. Rose had played with the Knicks for one season in 2016. During his one season with the Knicks, he averaged 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Rose left for the Minnesota Timberwolves before being signed by the Pistons in 2019. Rose will be reunited with his former Chicago Bulls and Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose became the youngest player to ever win MVP when he was playing for Thibodeau in Chicago.
Under Thibodeau, the Knicks have made vast improvements, especially in their defense. The Knicks are currently ranked sixth in defensive rating. This has led the team to become very competitive as they have beaten teams like the Portland Trailblazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. New York is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference as they look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
However, there are concerns with Rose’s arrival to the team. The concerns surround the young developing players of New York. There is a fear that Rose will become the starting point guard, replacing Elfrid Payton, and take minutes from shining rookie Immanuel Quickley.
Another factor will be how he will fit in the current system. Will the former MVP be able to coexist with Julius Randle, who has been the main scorer and has put up All-Star numbers so far this season. On a positive note, the three-time All-Star gives the team more scoring options that are not named Randle or R.J. Barrett. New York is ranked 30th in team points per game, only averaging 102.7 points per game. Rose can help as he is a score-first point guard.
