Derrick Rose is in the midst of a somewhat frustrating season with the Detroit Pistons.
After two strong years that saw him averaging 18 points and 5 assists per outing, he is currently averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. Beyond that, the 32-year-old has already missed five of his 17 overall games.
Although Rose isn’t currently having the sort of campaign he’s had over the prior two seasons, he still garners an enormous amount of respect. It helps that he doesn’t do the egregiously dirty stuff that Jamal Murray does. Many believe he could be a real difference-maker on either a championship contender or an up-and-coming squad in need of veteran leadership.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, two teams that fit each of those descriptions are currently in the market for Rose’s services.
“New York and the Clippers are among interested teams in Pistons guard Derrick Rose,” Charania reported. “Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has a long history with Rose, coaching the former league MVP in Chicago and Minnesota.”
Both of those squads could be excellent situations for Rose.
Currently, Efrid Payon, Austin Rivers and Immanuel Quickley are all sharing minutes at the point guard spot for the No. 8 seeded Knicks. Rose could easily slip into the rotation and provide some stability for a young group that needs someone who can show them how to get into the playoffs.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have been looking for a solution at point guard since this past offseason. That’s why they’re such big players in the Lonzo Ball Sweepstakes. Kawhi Leonard specifically identified this as an area of concern, but the organization did little to address it beyond making a half-hearted attempt to sign Rajon Rondo.
Patrick Beverley is a defensive-focused player and doesn’t have any significant playmaking responsibilities. That’s something you can get away with in the regular season at point guard, but not the playoffs. Leonard understands this – and the Clippers’ front office is seemingly starting to get it too.
Rose would slip in seamlessly and immediately be able to guide the Clippers’ offense, all while adding yet another weapon who knows how to score off the dripple and draw attention away from Leonard and Paul George.
One way or another, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that Rose finishes this season with the Pistons. Where will he ultimately end up? Time will tell.
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