5 reasons New York Knicks shouldn’t trade for Derrick Rose
By John Buhler
5. There are better free agency/trade options than Rose.
Even with his inability to stay healthy and an overall declining skill set, this is the same Knicks organization that loves to overpay for mediocre free agents and orchestrate impulsive trades that compromise the future success of the team.
While Rose’s value isn’t anywhere near as high as it was in 2011-12, the Knicks would find a way to give way more than the organization should for maybe a top 15 point guard in the NBA. The Knicks have roster spots to fill and salary cap room to pull off a lucrative sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls to acquire native Chicagoan Rose, but there are a few options where the Knicks can get more bang for their buck than with Rose.
Four point guards immediately come to mind: the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley, the Sacramento Kings’ Rajon Rondo, and either of the Atlanta Hawks’ talented point guard duo of Jeff Teague or Dennis Schroder.
Conley will be the one of the biggest names to hit free agency this summer. He could re-sign with Memphis, but would be an incredible fit for New York if the Knicks can land him. Rondo hates to shoot the basketball and would love to give Anthony and Porzingis all the shots. Teague plays with tremendous balance and could easily form a big three with the Knicks. Schroder is probably ready to start for an NBA team entering year four in the league.
Conley will cost the most of any of the five potential point guard targets for the Knicks, but would totally be worth it. Rondo, Teague, and Schroder would get New York to the Eastern Conference Playoffs as the next starting point guard of the Knicks. Rose is clearly the fifth best option for the Knicks to solve their point guard woes of this quintet.
Next: 4. Does Rose even fit in Jeff Hornacek's offense?