Derrick Rose arrived in New York on Monday night, and the newest member of the Knicks said he’s “grateful” following a trade with the Detroit Pistons.
“I thought it wasn’t going to happen at first,” Rose told a Knicks Twitter account, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “A lot goes into being traded. I’m feeling grateful, anxious, but at the same I know what I have to do coming here. It’s about helping the young guys, playing as hard as I can and, for one, thanking Thibs [Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau].’’
Rose, 32, averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 assists in 14 games with the Pistons this season.
More out of New York
- Despite some doubts, the trade for Rose actually makes sense, opined Steve Popper of Newsday. “Rose isn’t an ideal fit for the Knicks, who desperately need a point guard who is a playmaker and a three-point threat to open up the lane for Julius Randle and RJ Barrett,” Popper wrote. “But Rose can help an offensively challenged team as a player who can create offense on his own, taking pressure off Randle as opponents revert to zone defenses.”
- We relayed Monday that the Knicks didn’t want to move forward Kevin Knox in the Rose deal, opting instead to trade Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round draft pick back to the Pistons. But the Berman reported the Knicks may be “saving” Knox for another trade. That’s something Begley hinted at as well, saying that the Knicks’ refusal to trade Knox to the Pistons doesn’t mean he’s untouchable “by any stretch of the imagination.”
- Also, as Chris Crouse noted here on FortyEightMinutes, at least one playoff contender appears to be showing interest in Knicks guard Elfrid Payton.
