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New York Knicks: Five Reasons To Love Phil Jackson’s Offseason

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson smiles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 101 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson smiles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the 76ers 101 - 91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) go for the ball during the third quarter at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons 102-91. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) go for the ball during the third quarter at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons 102-91. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Rose and Jennings Deals

The New York Knicks ended 2015-16 with three point guards on the roster: Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway, and Jerian Grant. Galloway signed with his home state New Orleans Pelicans, and both Calderon and Grant were traded.

Entering the 2016-17 season, the Knicks have two point guards on the roster with significantly more star power: Brandon Jennings and Derrick Rose.

The obvious concern is that both Jennings and Rose have endured severe injuries. Jennings ruptured his achilles tendon in January of 2015, and Rose has undergone multiple surgeries to his knees.

The beauty of those acquisitions, however, is that both will be free agents next season—meaning Phil Jackson has given the Knicks’ new point guards one year to prove they belong.

Jennings entered 2015-16 with career averages of 16.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. In the 49 games he played without a protective mask disrupting his vision in 2015-16, Rose averaged 17.3 points on 44.9 percent shooting.

With just one year on their respective contracts, Jennings and Rose will be as hungry for success as any players in the NBA. The future of their careers depend on it.

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