In 2020-21, Derrick Rose played a significant 937 minutes for the Knicks.
He averaged 15 points, hit 41% of his 3s, and had an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 4:1 for New York.
Rose’s play was key to the Knicks’ run to the 2021 playoffs; the club went 24-11 after acquiring Rose in a mid-season trade from the Detroit Pistons.
Rose’s role on the 2022-23 Knicks was very different from that first season.
He played just 338 minutes – only 53 in the last 59 games of the year.
Even though the club had success with Rose largely out of rotation, his Knick teammates insisted he could still help win.
They finished the season 37-22 the rest of the way, earning the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Rose has accepted her role well, serving as a strong veteran presence for her teammates. But all along, those teammates said Rose could still play.
“He still has juice” Julius Randle said at the end of February.
Rose should have plenty of opportunities to show what he can do in 2023-24. On Friday night, Rose agreed to a two-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, as SNY first reported. Rose is expected to get regular minutes with Memphis, especially early in the season when the star point guard Ja Morant is serving a 25-game suspension for conduct harmful to the league.
Much like Rose did in New York, he will likely serve as a veteran presence for a young Grizzlies team. Young Knicks love Emmanuel Quickley And Obi Toppin said Rose was instrumental in mentoring them when he was in New York. Randle has always praised the former MVP.
Rose should add the same dynamic to the Grizzlies. He’ll also get the chance to play regular minutes – an opportunity that didn’t exist in his final season in New York.
Donte DiVincenzo remains top target for Knicks after Indiana big game Bruce Brown signature
The Knicks had a meeting scheduled with Brown at the start of free agency. Members of the organization had a significant interest in signing Brown. But the Knicks couldn’t compete with the Pacers’ offer to Brown. The former Net signed a two-year, $45 million deal with Indiana on Friday night, sources confirm.
The most the Knicks could offer Brown? A four-year contract starting at $12.4 million.
Donte Di Vincenzo remains a prime target for New York as we enter the first full day of free agency on Saturday.
DiVincenzo is expected to meet the Knicks and several teams early in free agency. A team with significant interest in DiVincenzo ahead of free agency felt the 26-year-old would eventually end up in New York. The Knicks can offer DiVincenzo a four-year contract starting at $12.4 million using the mid-level non-taxpayer exception.
If they were to use the exception, they would not be allowed to spend more than $172 million in total team salaries in 2023-24.
Latest on Toppin trade with Pacers, potential Evan Fournier suitors
That’s why New York might do well to lose some wages via trade this offseason.
New York and Indiana discussed a potential trade involving Toppin shortly before free agency opened. The Knicks, according to SNY sources, were seeking interim compensation in return for any deal with Toppin.
After signing Brown, Indiana has about $9 million in cap space, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. That’s enough room to absorb Toppin’s $6.8 million salary.
New York could also move Fournier, who has value as a sharp perimeter shooter. Fournier also has value because he is entering the last guaranteed year of his contract.
He has a salary of $18.9 million in 2023-24. The San Antonio Spurs have enough room to absorb Fournier’s salary. Fournier and Spurs’ No. 1 pick Victor Wembenyama share a country of origin (France) and an agent (Bouna Ndiaye). Given those ties, there may be potential for a Fournier deal between New York and San Antonio.
The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers Cavs have sought out the Spurs as the third team as they await the signing and trade of Max Strus. An iteration of the deal had Cavs’ Cedi Osman routed to San Antonio. Spurs would absorb Osman into their cap space. They could do the same with Fournier or they could send a player to the Knicks.
Drive developments
Another note on the Pacers: Jim Boylenthe former Bulls head coach from 2018 to 2020, is a strong candidate to fill a vacancy on Rick Carlislethe staff. Boylen was a coaching consultant for Indiana last season.
Speaking of coaching consultants, maybe Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks can hire Jeff Van Gundy in this role for next season. Van Gundy would no longer be part of ESPN’s NBA coverage, which is a loss for audiences interested in learning more about the game and being entertained on a show.