Derrick Rose trade rumors are already swirling ahead of the deadline.
Backup guard and former MVP Derrick Rose is currently stranded on a Detroit Pistons team with the most losses in the NBA, but he might not have to waste away on an Eastern Conference basement-dweller for much longer.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, it might not be long before Derrick Rose trade rumors are heating up again, as the LA Clippers and New York Knicks are reportedly interested in his services.
Charania also states those two teams are “among” the teams who might have an interest in Rose, so other teams could very well join the potential bidding war.
Where will Derrick Rose end up?
Either one of these teams make sense for Rose, who is averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 assists in 23.8 minutes per game this season in Detroit. Though he’s missed a few games due to knee soreness and is only shooting 33.3 percent from 3-point range this year, he’s proven himself capable as a microwave bench scorer over the last two seasons, averaging 18 points a game both times for the Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Knicks are surprisingly competitive under new head coach Tom Thibodeau, who has an extensive history with Rose after their time together on the Wolves and the Chicago Bulls. Although the Knicks are 8-10 heading into Tuesday’s slate, they currently hold a playoff spot in the East and could boost their standing by trading for an experienced sixth man like Rose.
As for the Clippers, their need for playmaking and established guard play is well known. Rose is hardly the kind of facilitating, pass-first guard they would prefer, but having another certified scorer who can come off the bench and put up points in a hurry certainly wouldn’t hurt as LA sets its sights on the Los Angeles Lakers atop the Western Conference.
Only time will tell if either of these teams is able to swing a deal for Rose’s $7.7 million expiring salary, or if other teams will enter the fray, but it might not be long before he’s shipped out of Motown.