ROSE PROSE
Free-agent to be wants wins, not $$$
PORTLAND, Ore. — A year and a half ago, Derrick Rose was already anticipating his first foray into NBA free agency, noting the league’s rising contracts and salary cap. For a player coming off a slew of knee injuries, the remark wasn’t well-received in Chicago.
Now Rose, just three months from that free agency, said money isn’t the top factor, after all. Saying he would like to stay in New York, Rose does want to test the field July 1. But the Knicks are committed to the triangle next season and that can’t be a drawing card for Rose.
“Not even thinking money,’’ said Rose, who sat out Thursday’s loss at Portland after spraining the inside of his right foot in Utah on Wednesday. “I’ve got more than enough money saved. If I stopped playing basketball now, I’ll be all right. I want to win. I want to be happy and feel at peace with myself wherever I’m at. But being at the negotiating table, you never know. I’m not going to negotiate with people where money is the No. 1 thing I’m asking for. I want to win.’’
Knicks president Phil Jackson shopped Rose at the trade deadline — concerned about Rose’s triangle knowhow and offseason asking price. The Knicks were willing to trade Rose for Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, but the deal fell through. The Knicks haven’t given up on re-signing Rose for the right price, but are investigating all the top point guards in the draft.
Knicks general manager Steve Mills was expected at the South Regional in Memphis to see Kentucky (point guard De’Aaron Fox, combo guard Malik Monk) play UCLA (potential No. 1 pick Lonzo Ball).
Asked if he’d investigate an offense that may suit him better, Rose said, “It’s a part of free agency to see about the other teams out there, whoever is out there, whoever is interested. At least give them a chance and go from there.
“This will be the first time I’ll be a free agent. I don’t know how that process goes. After the season, me, my agent, my brothers, family will have to talk about it. Of course I want to be here, just being in this environment, being in New York, being at the Garden every other night, it’s a blessing. But, again, I have to really talk it over with my agent and my brothers.’’
Though Rose said he can “excel’’ in any offense, he has expressed his concern about a triangle offense that contains few pick-and-rolls.
The Post’s Fred Kerber, in a recent survey of agents and league executives, reported Rose would be offered less than the max and be more in the market range of Rajon Rondo — in the $10 million-$15 million per year neighborhood.
“It’s not up to me to decide,’’ Rose said. “It’s up to that team and the front office to decide that my job is to try to produce. Once we go to the tables, we’ll negotiate after that.’’
Rose is singing a far different tune than two years ago, when he said he was looking forward to free agency.
“As far as seeing all the money that they’re passing out in this league. Just telling the truth. Just knowing that my day will be coming up soon, and it’s not for me,” Rose had said. “It’s for [his son] P.J. and his future, so that’s what I’m thinking about now.’’
Though healthy most of the season, Rose missed his 10th game on Thursday. He was limping in the locker room in Utah and couldn’t put weight on his foot Thursday morning. He said he could be ready Saturday when the trip ends in San Antonio and acknowledged he could’ve played Thursday, with the help of pain medication, if it were a playoff contest.
“It’s the side of my foot,’’ Rose said. “A lot of pressure on it, makes you want to walk on the inside of the foot instead of the outside.”
Rose said he twisted his foot after scoring on a driving layup, trying to stop short.
“I should’ve ran into the crowd,’’ Rose said. “I stopped myself from going into the crowd and just jammed it.’’
Though defensively he has left a lot to be desired, Rose (17.8 ppg, 4.4 assists) has no issues with how he’s been exploding to the rim all season and making mid-range shots.
“I love the way I’ve been playing but I got to be smart about it,’’ he said.