NBA: Bulls ship Derrick Rose to Knicks
The New York Knicks acquired Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, hoping the former NBA MVP can be their answer at point guard.
The Knicks sent centre Robin Lopez and guards Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant to the Bulls in the deal; New York also received guard Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick and waived point guard Tony Wroten.
New coach Jeff Hornacek said recently the Knicks needed a point guard and Rose was one of the NBA’s best before multiple knee injuries slowed the former No. 1 pick’s career. He played in 66 games last season, his most in five years, and averaged 16.4 points.
“This is an exciting day for New York and our fans,” Hornacek said in a statement. “Derrick is one of the top point guards in the NBA who is playoff battle-tested. He adds a whole new dynamic to our roster and immediately elevates our backcourt.”
After missing the playoffs in a dis- appointing first season under Fred Hoiberg, the Bulls decided to move on without the hometown kid they selected with the top pick in the 2008 draft.
It seemed a perfect fit when Rose led Chicago to the top of the Eastern Conference during the 2010-11 regular season, earning MVP honours and leading the franchise to success it hadn’t enjoyed since the days of Michael Jordan.
But he wrecked his knee for the first time in the playoffs the following season and no longer has the speed that once made him one of the league’s most dazzling young stars and a seemingly perennial all-star.
“Knowing Derrick as I do makes this trade a hard one,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said.