“Derrick Rose to team up with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George?”: Trade rumor linking former MVP to Clippers should put LeBron James, Lakers on red alert

Shams Charania claims that Derrick Rose is being sought after by teams like the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The NBA trade rumor mill has been churning out many potential moves that teams can make before the NBA’s trade deadline. Multiple teams that are in position to make a playoff push or bolster their already championship-caliber team are looking into acquiring veterans.

Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons is a name that has been popping up in such rumors for quite some time. The 2011 MVP has, in a way, reignited his career these past few years.

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He’s averaging nearly 15 points per game this season on 12 attempts from the field. His efficiency has taken a slight dip this season when compared to his previous two seasons but his know-how of the game is enough to make him a solid point guard off the bench for a contender.

The Clippers have shown interest in acquiring Derrick Rose

Rumors about the Clippers wanting to trade for/acquire Derrick Rose have been circulating since October of last year. Mumbling around the league stated that they wanted a spark plug point guard off the bench who could drop a light 16-20 points when need be.

This is essentially the role Lou Williams plays for the Clippers. But Sweet Lou has regressed a lot this 2020-21 NBA season.

REPORT: The Knicks and Clippers are among the teams interested in trading for Derrick Rose, via @ShamsCharania.

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 26, 2021

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The Clippers are well over the $109 million salary cap this season. Taking on Derrick Rose’s $7.5 million contract at the moment might prove to be a problem. Lou Williams makes about the same amount per year at $8 million a year. A straight on trade between the two with a pick involved could work out.

If D-Rose continues to perform at a high level with the Clippers as well, they would really have thrown the gauntlet down to the Lakers. The Clippers would become that much more dangerous for LeBron James and co’s repeat aspirations.

The New York Knicks want to acquire Rose 

If the Knicks pulled the plug on a deal that would bring Rose to New York, this would be the 2^nd time he’d be wearing a Knicks jersey. He was previously on the Knicks “superteam” back in the 2016-17 season.

It would also mean that he would reunite with head coach Tom Thibodeau for the third time in his career; the first two times being in Chicago and Minnesota.

The Knicks are currently one spot out of the 8^th seed with an 8-11 record. They are clearly playing to squeak their way into the Playoffs and so acquiring Rose could provide some offense for them.

The Knicks are currently a top defense in the league and adding Rose will definitely hinder that. However, having veteran presence in the locker room with the young guys will prove to be beneficial. After all, Rose was more than ready to take Detroit rookie Killian Hayes under his wing. Who’s to say he wouldn’t do the same for Barrett.