NBA free agency: 10 destinations for Derrick Rose in 2017

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Oct 31, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (center) leaps between New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (left) and point guard Raymond Felton (right) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

. East. Atlantic. New York Knicks. 3. player. 27

Let’s just say 2016-17 is an overwhelming success for Rose and his new team in the Knicks. With Anthony, Porzingis, and maybe Howard, New York wins 45 to 50 games, earns a top six seed in the 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs, and pushes a better team like the Cleveland Cavaliers to six games in the Conference Semifinals, would Rose re-up with the Knicks?

He very well could, as the Knicks won’t have to break the bank for Porzingis for at least a few more years. Anthony is already under contract. Howard would theoretically be in his second year. Maybe there is more room than initially realized to pay Rose a fair price in 2017 NBA free agency with the rapidly increasing salary cap?

While it feels like a highly volatile situation in New York next season with that interesting cast of characters, there is a sliver of hope that the Knicks can become one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. Rose and Howard have been MVP caliber players. Anthony has been a top 10 player before. Porzingis was the second best rookie in his draft class behind only the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns.

If the one-year trial of Rose as the Knicks point guard does pan out with a respectable showing in the Eastern Conference Playoffs for New York, do expect the Knicks to be one of the teams most interested in signing Rose in 2017 NBA free agency. Crazier things have happened, so Rose may indeed be part of New York’s long-term plans.

Next: 2. Milwaukee Bucks.

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