Yahoo Finance Sources: Knicks acquire Derrick Rose from the Pistons
The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks agreed on a deal on Sunday to send Derrick Rose to the Knicks for Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round draft pick (via Charlotte), sources tell Yahoo Sports.
The Knicks officially announced the transaction on Monday.
For Rose, he reunites with former coach Tom Thibodeau, who he played for in Chicago and Minnesota. Rose’s 2011 MVP season was with Thibodeau as head coach, and Thibodeau has always championed Rose through his injuries.
Rose was a good veteran for the Pistons after signing a two-year deal in 2018 and had a strong relationship with Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, who was his first agent. After the rebuilding Pistons and Rose agreed on a mutual parting, the Knicks were a logical destination. The Knicks have been hovering around .500 and are expected to make a run at the playoffs. Rose was one of the most productive guards off the bench, averaging 14 points and four assists, still showing the burst that made him tough to guard through his career.
Smith Jr., the ninth pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks who was later included in the Kristaps Porzingis deal, struggled to find his footing since arriving in New York. He recently volunteered to go to the G League just to get some playing time, which will be in abundance in Detroit. Pistons rookie Killian Hayes is out with a hip injury and still believed to be weeks away from returning.
The Pistons are giving Smith a free look and like his attacking style, which is similar to Rose, and they’ve taken flyers on former lottery picks this season like Josh Jackson, who was the fourth pick in the same draft as Smith Jr.
If Smith can develop into a point guard with adequate tempo and on-floor leadership, it could happen in Detroit where there will be plenty of opportunity. The Pistons have the worst record in the league in Troy Weaver’s first season as general manager, undergoing an extreme makeover from previous seasons.
The Pistons still have Blake Griffin’s contract for this season and he has a player option for next season, but has struggled in his comeback from left knee surgery.
It’s clear the Pistons are taking on talented, low-risk prospects while looking to build through the draft.
For Rose, he gets a chance to play meaningful basketball before hitting free agency this summer.
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