Could we see Derrick Rose and Tom Thibodeau be reunited in Minnesota?
Per a report from ESPN’s Ian Begley, the Minnesota Timberwolves have reached out to the New York Knicks to discuss potential trades for Rose, with the Knicks asking price unclear.
Begley also notes that it is currently not known at this time what the Timberwolves would offer the Knicks in-exchange for Rose, but if both sides wanted too, they could swap starting point guards. A Ricky Rubio for Rose trade straight up would work under the NBA’s trade rules.
Since joining the Timberwolves as their head coach and president of basketball operations, several current Bulls players that Thibodeau coached in Chicago have been linked in trade rumors with the Timberwolves. Rose is the latest, as Thibodeau coached the former MVP for 7 seasons in Chicago.
Rose, who will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NBA career this off-season, is making $21.3 million this season, and is reportedly seeking a maximum-level contract worth over $150 million on the open market.
It remains a question about how the Knicks feel about bringing Rose back after trading Jerian Grant and Robin Lopez for him last summer, but with the reported price tag that Rose will cost the team this off-season, it may be the wisest decision to let Rose walk.
New York still owes Carmelo Anthony over $54 million over the next two seasons if he chooses to opt-in for the 2018-2019 season, and with Rose on a big contract in-addition to the multi-year contracts of Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee, there may not be enough money left to pay Kristaps Porzingis his money.
(Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports)
The Knicks do own their first-round draft pick this year, and if they trade Rose or decide internally not to bring him back this summer, they could use the pick on one of the many top college point guards in this year’s draft. Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr., and De’Aaron Fox are among the options at point guard this draft class.
Rose is averaging 17.7 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 46% from the field this season.
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