Rose to ride out rest of season
ORLANDO, Fla. — Wednesday was the deadline for Derrick Rose to go the way of Brandon Jennings. The Knicks would have needed to waive Rose by March 1 for the point guard to be eligible for a playoff roster with another club. Instead he started at the point and scored 19 points against the Magic and said he won’t ask for a buyout.
After nearly being dealt at the trade deadline last week to Minnesota for Ricky Rubio, Rose is stuck with the Knicks, even if the club could face a slew of meaningless games this month and next. Rose, with five playoff appearances under his belt, hasn’t given up on the chase with the Knicks (24-36) who are five games out of the eighth seed.
As he heads toward free agency, Rose admitted he wants to sign with a winner. That topic will arise when he has his Knicks’ exit meetings. The Knicks, who may be in re- building mode, appear ready to move on from Rose, though holding onto him now makes sense for both sides. The Knicks could get back an asset by using him in a July signand-trade. Rose would get an extra year on his next deal.
“You have to think about all that in the offseason,’’ Rose said when asked if he is con-
cerned about rebuilding. “I’ll be a free agent. ... I really can’t think about or see how it’s going to go while I’m still playing here.” ➤ Rookie forward Maurice
Ndour sprained his right ankle during the morning shootaround and left on crutches, in a walking boot. He’s out at least one week. ➤ Center Willy Hernangomez missed Wednesday’s game after spraining his ankle vs. Toronto.
➤ Carmelo Anthony on Kevin Durant’s serious knee injury that jeopardizes the start of the playoffs.
“You never want to see anybody go through that especially him, knowing how happy he was being in that situation. It’s a new step in his career, new chapter in his book. Hopefully it’s a speedy recovery.’’