New York Knicks: Grading The 2016 Offseason

Who won the trade between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls? Is it too early to decide? Was it a win-win for both teams?

The Knicks got Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a second-round draft pick from Chicago. They gave up Robin Lopez (who was on an affordable contract, especially with the cap going up this year and next year), Jose Calderon (who was a better served as a backup point guard and had an expiring contract), and Jerian Grant (possibly the Knicks’ future point guard who happened to be a first round pick last year).

Is Rose and Holiday a better back-court duo than Grant and Calderon. Yes. So did the Knicks win this trade?

The good thing is the Knicks didn’t give up any future draft picks, which they’ve had a history of doing. But the Knicks have found themselves in a dilemma—perhaps one that they are overlooking.

Let’s play this out hypothetically

If Rose falls apart again, then he’s just a one-year rental. He enters unrestricted free agency and the Knicks don’t have to re-sign him. However, the Knicks may miss the postseason for the fourth straight year, and that could be enough for Carmelo Anthony to demand a trade.

While some Knicks fans may want ‘Melo gone, he’s still the only superstar the Knicks have as of right now (Porzingis will become one, but he’s not there yet). And since Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract, he can dictate where he wants to go, meaning the Knicks will never be able to get back what he’s actually worth.

The consolation prize: the Knicks own their first-round draft pick next year.

Next: Derrick Rose, Part II