New York Knicks: Derrick Rose Brings Short-Term Gain, Potential Burden
There are opposing opinions on the New York Knicks trade deal for point guard Derrick Rose. What are the short-term and long-term effects of the exchange?
Let’s set one fact straight: Derrick Rose isn’t the magic elixir that cures the New York Knicks of all previous ills.
Right now, he’s a Band-Aid on roster hemorrhage.
The Knicks’ trade deal to acquire a fallen superstar shouldn’t bring your thoughts to not one, not two or three titles, but it makes next season bearable.
Related Story: New York Knicks Acquire Point Guard Derrick Rose
Don’t lie to yourself. With all the jokes about Rose collapsing with an injury during his first pregame introduction at Madison Square Garden will go out the window, and you’ll feel the excitement in watching the Knicks play.
On paper, seeing Rose, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis on the same roster seems intriguing. In fact, it’s probably the nucleus for a playoff team in an improved Eastern Conference, if everyone stays healthy.
Healthy is the key word here.
Rose played 66 games in the previous season, but he’s still trying to find his sweet spot on the court.
When playing in a majority of the regular-season games, Rose registered his lowest field-goal percentage last year. He must learn to become a better ball distributor without penetration to the hoop. He logged 4.7 assists during the 2014-15 season, his second-lowest career average in that category.
If you’re an optimist, it’s easy to see how a well-run triangle offense could create open looks for Rose as he finds the range for his jump shot. Furthermore, he’ll step into a situation with less pressure. On some nights, Rose will play as Anthony’s sidekick. At times, he’ll play third fiddle behind Porzingis. Regardless, there’s a decent role for him, pending his availability.
The pessimists will look toward his injury history and center Robin Lopez’s absence as the aspects, which eventually sink the Knicks’ season.
It’s a fair point.
However, it’s inconceivable to think team president Phil Jackson leaves the interior bare without a rim protector. The Knicks will play in the free-agent pool for another center, and there’s plenty to choose from in this year’s group.
Once the Knicks acquire their next big man to defend the paint, this team will look better after the Rose trade than before. It’s not a roster contending for an NBA title, but it’s a lower-seeded playoff team, which isn’t a terrible ceiling. Though, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to preach about baby steps to Knicks fans.
Rose’s health doesn’t pose the biggest problem. It’s his desire to earn a huge payout after the 2016-17 season. He spoke about free agency at the Bulls Media Day last year:
Rose sounds like a player who’s willing to go all out for a big contract. Right now, he’s a one-year rental for the Knicks on an expiring contract. If he’s unable to shake off his injury history, the Knicks can simply move on.
On the other hand, let’s say Rose plays lights out in his first year in New York. Now, he’s justified a big pay day. The front office must decide whether or not to invest in an injury-prone player who’s a potential solid No. 2 alongside Anthony for a few years. It’s a much tougher decision down the road. The former MVP will see dollar signs while the Knicks see a high-risk, decent-reward player.
Assuming the Knicks sign an interior defender to fill Lopez’s role, it’s a general roster upgrade.
If Rose exceeds expectations just a bit, then it’s a headache on a decision to pay or pass on him in 2017. Fans will see the obvious in his fragility, but it’s far deeper than that. There’s nothing worse than fully investing in a player who flames out in the following year. He becomes fool’s gold.
Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek wanted a more dynamic backcourt, and Rose still brings more athleticism than Jose Calderon. He also plays with a better understanding of the position in comparison to a raw talent like guard Jerian Grant.
Did the Knicks shake the NBA landscape with this trade deal? No.
But, the team didn’t give up their two biggest assets to acquire a short-term fix. Rose’s presence doesn’t create a fissure in the Knicks’ foundation. However, he’s add-on that may cost the Knicks a boatload down the line. It’s a price the team is willing to contemplate for a quick spark at Madison Square Garden.