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Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Swapping Derrick Rose For Ricky Rubio

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) dribbles past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) dribbles past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Losing The Only Slasher

The advanced metrics paint the picture that Derrick Rose has a negative impact on the New York Knicks. Whether or not that’s true, there’s an invaluable strength that Rose provides the Knicks with—one that was missing throughout 2016-17.

If the Knicks are going to trade Rose, then they must accept that they would be trading the only player who can consistently create penetration and finish at the rim.

Carmelo Anthony is an all-time great from a scoring perspective, but he’s more of a jump shooter and occasional post player at this stage of his career. Kristaps Porzingis is a dynamic talent, but he can be described in the same way.

Brandon Jennings has proven capable of getting to the rim, but he isn’t finishing with anything close to the consistency that Rose is—and, for what it’s worth, few are.

Rose currently ranks No. 3 in the NBA in points via drives per game. He’s shooting 53.0 percent from the field on drives, which is higher than all but one player who ranks in the Top 5 in volume: Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan.

Rose may not test well in the advanced metrics, but his ability to create penetration at finish at the rim would be invaluable in the playoffs.

If the Knicks can’t get to the playoffs, however, none of this will matter.

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