The Knicks keep Derrick Rose past the artificial acquisition market deadline
It is safe to say that Derrick Rose will finish the season with the New York Knicks.
Rose remained with the Knicks after the March 1 artificial acquisition market deadline. If Rose was purchased, he would then be ineligible to participate in the playoffs for a new team. The Phoenix Suns reportedly wanted to sign him if the Knicks bought him.
Despite other uproar from the sold-out park crowd, Rose didn’t play in a garbage-time Wednesday night 142-118 thrashing of crosstown rivals the Brooklyn Nets. He joined another veteran, Evan Fournier, as the Knicks’ only DNP recipient in their seventh straight win that firmly entrenched them in fifth place in the East.
But that doesn’t mean Rose is no longer valuable to the team. He may have been off duty, but his leadership is greatly appreciated by his longtime coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks organization.
“He contributes greatly to our team,” said Thibodeau. “We know how important he is to the team. Whether he’s a starter coming off injury or coming off the bench or not, he’s a very positive guy.”
“He’s been through a lot. He’s been through adversity, and he’s been through it all. He always lifts people up.”
Randle and Bronson, the Knicks’ young captains, have talked a lot in the past about how Rose affects them even though he’s not playing.
Rose still owes $14.5 million this season and has a team option worth $15.6 million next season. The Knicks are said to be inclined to pick their team option only if they can serve as a payweight in a deal for a superstar.
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