Knicks Trade for Derrick Rose, Might Not Be Done

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks have pulled off a trade that sends Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a 2017 second-round pick to New York in exchange for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and Jose Calderon. Rose is in the final year of five-year contract and had some vintage moments last year, but has never really regained the electric form of his MVP-winning 2010-11 season. The following year, Rose battled injuries throughout and his season ended with a torn ACL in his first playoff game. He's spent the better parts of the subsequent four seasons trying to come back from knee and other injuries.

Still, there is obvious talent there and Phil Jackson appears willing to take a one-year flier on a former MVP looking for a fresh start. He might not be done dealing after this, either.

By dealing Robin Lopez, look for Knicks to possibly pursue Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol or Dwight Howard in free agency.
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 22, 2016

The Bulls may not be done, either—they're reportedly open to dealing star wing Jimmy Butler this offseason, possibly in exchange for a chance to move up in the NBA Draft. Because of what he meant to the franchise and how great he was when he was great, this certainly feels like a big trade. In another sense, the Bulls just traded an oft-injured star for some supporting players. Robin Lopez is a good player on a good contract, Jerian Grant a promising second-year guard, and Jose Calderon is Jose Calderon. None of them are Derrick Rose, but then Derrick Rose isn't necessarily Derrick Rose anymore, either.