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UPDATE: Feb. 7, 3:51 p.m. — The Knicks and Pistons have reached an agreement on a deal to send Rose to Detroit in exchange for G Dennis Smith Jr. and a 2021 second-round pick, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Detroit has agreed to trade guard Derrick Rose to New York for Dennis Smith Jr., and a 2021 second-round pick (via Charlotte), sources tell ESPN. Rose reunites with Tom Thibodeau, who coached him in Chicago and Minnesota.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2021
The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons are engaged in trade conversations centered around veteran PG Derrick Rose, The Athletic reported late Saturday evening. Rose, 32, is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed with the Pistons. The Athletic is also reporting that multiple teams are interested in the former MVP, including the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rose could land in New York because of his relationship with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. Thibs coached Rose on the Chicago Bulls from 2010-2015, and then against for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018-19. Rose played his first season after leaving the Bulls with the Knicks as well, so there’s plenty of mutual interest from past relationships.
The Pistons are in the middle of a rebuild and Rose was never going to be on the team past the Trade Deadline anyway. The Knicks could use Rose to add depth at PG for a push for the playoffs. New York wouldn’t have to give up much to receive Rose and he’s on an expiring contract, so it would essentially be a rental. If the season ended Saturday, the Knicks would be the No. 6 seed in the East. Behind Elfrid Payton, the Knicks lack a true PG. Rose would provide some depth there with Immanuel Quickley, Austin Rivers and Alec Burks as the primary backup guards.