Foreman adds that the team, more than anything, needs “younger and more athletic” players, and that letting go of Rose is the first step towards such direction.
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The New York Knicks made a huge splash today when they acquired former NBA MVP Derrick Rose in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. NY also received guard Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick.
Lopez averaged 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds last season for the Knicks, and league executives say he could be a source of stability on the interior, especially considering he’s played 82 games in three of the last four seasons.
The move came on the eve of the NBA Draft, when the Knicks will look for more help after missing the playoffs last season. Click above to listen.
Rose left the University of Memphis after his freshman year in 2008 and led the Bulls to the NBA Playoffs in his first season, and to the post-season five out of his seven seasons overall.
This year was Rose’s first real season in over three years as he managed to take the court in 66 games, but the prospect of paying the superstar just to ride the pine has to be weighing on the minds of everyone in the Knicks’ front office.
The Pistons have two picks in tonight’s NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
“This is an exciting day for NY and our fans”, head coach Jeff Hornacek said in a statement. Grant was one of the players that the Bulls were interested in taking during the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft.
His contract was also up after next season. And if Rose can stay healthy and play well with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks could be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. With former-MVP Rose playing at the point, Jackson has envisioned getting the biggest free agent of the year, Kevin Durant.
More than anything, Wednesday’s trade represents a turn-the-page moment for the fan base and the franchise.
The room can increase to $51 million if Rose’s free-agent hold is released. With one year and just $8 million remaining on his deal, Taj Gibson is another likely candidate to start next season on another team.
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Hill, 30, averaged 12.1 points and 3.4 assists in 74 regular-season games for the Pacers last season, and is expected to be the starter when the new National Basketball Association season open.
