The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons have agreed to a transaction that will send Derrick Rose to the Big Apple. After the dust settled with the trade, it was revealed that the Knicks will send the Pistons a second-round choice (currently occupied at position 40) in the 2021 NBA Draft, according to Athletic’s James L. Edwards.
The choice of the second round, which originally belonged to the Charlotte Hornets, was in the possession of the Knicks. But with New York looking to acquire Rose to provide a spark on the backcourt, they will send that choice to Detroit, along with Dennis Smith Jr.
While Smith – if boarded by the Knicks – would give the Pistons another project player as a point guard, they were more intrigued to get the 40th overall choice in this year’s draft. Detroit, which currently boasts the worst record in the 5-18 league, should have the best chance among all 30 NBA teams to secure the coveted No. 1 in the NBA’s 2021 Draft.
In addition, with NBA scouts claiming class 2021 as one of the deepest groups in recent memory, the Pistons want to continue adding assets after making this deal with the Knicks, assuming the switch is eventually completed and doesn’t fail in time . In addition to his own draft choices, Detroit also has the Toronto Raptors’ second round pick, which is currently the 39th overall pick. This is another piece of the puzzle that Detroit is trying to put together in order to emerge from mediocrity and relative stagnation in the Eastern Conference.
This is a multi-step process for the Motown franchise. Seeing that the Pistons are nowhere near a candidate for the Eastern Conference, they are starting to shed veteran players in the hope of getting younger players and draft capital. The Knicks are in line to be an initial business partner on the way to a newly built list and a fresh start. Following Rose’s exchange, Detroit is proving that its ultimate intention of moving forward is to build for the future.
