Knicks Acquire Derrick Rose In Trade With Bulls
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Knicks have agreed to a trade with the Chicago Bulls for former MVP point guard Derrick Rose, the team announced Wednesday.
The Knicks are sending center Robin Lopez and point guards Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon to the Bulls in exchange for the 27-year-old three-time All-Star as well as shooting guard Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick.
Rose averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists per game last season. His career, however, has been beset by injuries. The top overall pick in the 2008 draft, Rose tore the ACL in his left knee in the 2012 playoffs and then missed the entire next season. Then just 10 games into 2013-14, he tore the meniscus in his right knee, ending his season.
"Derrick is one of the top points guards in the NBA who is playoff-battle-tested," new Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. "He adds a whole new dynamic to our roster and immediately elevates our backcourt."
A source told ESPN that Rose was emotional about leaving Chicago but said when he learned the Bulls were looking to trade him, he hoped he would end up with the Knicks.
"His first choice was New York," the source said. "He wants the spotlight."
MORE: Schmeelk: Knicks Might Buy Way Into 2nd Round, Draft A Project Player
Rose is due $21.3 million in the final year of his contract next season. The Knicks had more than $30 million available under the salary cap after Derrick Williams and Arron Afflalo both opted out of their contracts Tuesday. Lopez, Calderon and Grant were set to cost more than $22.5 million next season.
Hornacek and general manager Steve Mills had publicly expressed a desire to upgrade at the point guard position in recent weeks.
They had to part with two starters and a promising young player to make the deal happen. Lopez, one of the Knicks' steadier players, started all 82 games last season, averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. However, Calderon, who will turn 35 in September, averaged 7.6 points and a career-low 4.1 assists per game last season and struggled defensively. The Knicks traded for rookie point guard Jerian Grant last season but seemed reluctant to give him a large role despite subpar play from others at the position.
Holiday is joining his fifth team in five seasons. Last year, he played in 27 games, starting four. He averaged 6.5 points per game
