Tom Thibodeau’s favorite point guard, Derrick Rose, may soon find his way back to New York.
The Detroit Pistons and Rose have agreed to part ways with the New York Knicks as one of the possible destinations, according to a report by The Athletic.
Ian Begley of SNY added that the French owner of the Knicks, Frank Ntilikina, is one of the players discussed in a possible exchange with Rose. Ntilikina left the Knicks’ rotation this season.
Frank Ntilikina is a player who came up in discussions between Pistons and Knicks about a possible deal with Derrick Rose, according to SNY sources. Athletic reported for the first time that Knicks is in negotiations with Pistons over an exchange for Rose, who has a long history with Tom Thibodeau.
– Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 7, 2021
Rose, 32, was reborn in her career after meeting Thibodeau in Minnesota in 2018.
But after the Timberwolves killed Thibodeau, Rose signed with the Pistons in 2019 as a free agent.
This season, Rose has averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 15 games. But the Pistons’ slow start (5-17) boosted the team’s priorities to develop its youngest players. Rose has been inactive since January 30 against the Golden State Warriors.
Rose became the youngest MVP in the league under Thibodeau in Chicago before suffering injuries and issues outside the court hindered her career.
An exchange with the Knicks will not only reunite you with Thibodeau, but will give Rose the chance to make up for her controversial stint in New York in the 2016-17 season.
Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in Rose’s services, according to The Athletic report.
Rose is expected to boost the Knicks’ attack, which came in last on the league score (102.4), entering Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Elfrid Payton has been a catalyst for the Knicks’ last two wins.
Payton averaged 20.5 points and four assists in the double win.
An exchange for Rose means that the Knicks will fight hard to contain the playoffs this season. They are currently sixth in the East, with a record 11-13.
Rose and Payton play a similar style. So it will be interesting to see how Thibodeau will manage his minutes with rising rookie Immanuel Quickley, who has become a fan favorite if a deal is struck.
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