Rose never was in bloom for garden

CLEVELAND — With Phil Jackson and the triangle out of the picture, Derrick Rose wanted to return to the Knicks. But the feelings weren’t reciprocated. “From our side, we were just waiting to see what was going to happen. We didn’t hear anything. So with us not hearing anything, we knew they were probably looking somewhere else. And they drafted a point guard. Both sides were on two different wavelengths.” Rose said Sunday.

“I would’ve loved to come back. I loved playing there even though we lost,” he added. “The city itself, the fans, like everything about it. They made changes. Phil being gone, I would’ve loved being part of it.”

As the Daily News reported in July, newly promoted team president Steve Mills had no interest in re-signing Rose. Instead, the Knicks instead inked Ron Baker and Ramon Sessions to play above rookie Frank Ntilikina.

Rose, who was also negotiating with the Bucks, signed a one-year deal with the Cavs for the veteran’s minimum.

“At least I would’ve heard (the Knicks) out,” Rose said when asked if he’d been willing to commit to a rebuilding team. “They didn’t say anything.”

Rose, who averaged 18 points last season before tearing his meniscus, returned to Cleveland’s starting lineup Sunday against the Knicks following a four-game absence due to a sprained ankle. The Cavs went 1-3 without Rose, who is happy to get away from the triangle.

“(Jackson) wasn’t (implementing the triangle) intentionally to harm me or anything, he was just doing what he thought was best for the team,” Rose said. “So as a player, I have to respect that. I think that’s what the coaching staff did last year was respect his perspective and his decisions to want us play the triangle.”

Rose’s up-and-down tenure in New York was marred by a civil trial during preseason and a decision to go AWOL during a game in January. Still, he was the type of offensive weapon the Knicks are sorely lacking. The two other point guards New York signed to guaranteed contracts — Baker and Sessions — lost the starting spot to Jarrett Jack. Baker was inactive Sunday for the second straight game.

“I can’t take it personal,” Rose said. “I know it’s a business. But they’ll be able to see me shine in Cleveland.”

AP Derrick Rose drives hard to basket Sunday against his former team, which apparently had little interest in bringing the point guard back to MSG in offseason.