Ranking Knicks free agents who are most deserving of a new contract

NY Knicks: #1 Derrick Rose (Unrestricted Free Agent)

We all saw this one coming, right?

If you thought Burks had clutch performances for the New York Knicks this season, then you should’ve seen Rose. The former MVP delivered like he was the current MVP in multiple games. Really anyone could have done better than Elfrid Payton, but Rose was often so good for the Knicks that he could have finished games over Magic Johnson. Ok, that was an exaggeration, but Rose was that spectacular. I mean, what else do you expect from a player whose team record was 24-11 with him suited up to play?

Take New York’s 9-game winning streak as evidence, Rose was a factor in every game he played in. In just 26 MPG, Rose was the NY Knicks’ second-leading assist leader (4.2), third-leading scorer (14.9), and even shot the third-highest percentage from three (41.1%). Also, you could just get a glimpse of his impact by looking at the voting for 6th Man of the Year. Rose finished 3rd in voting. He nearly won an award that he barely qualified for, as he only played in 35 games for the Knicks.

And then of course, there was the playoffs. In a series that left a ton to be desired, Rose did not disappoint. He wasn’t just one of the only things New York had going for them, he truly performed out of his mind. Outside of a poor Game 5, Rose carried the Knicks offense in every game. Here are his stats:

Game 1: 17 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal in 38 min.
Game 2: 26/4/4 in 39 min.
Game 3: 30/5/6 in 39 min.
Game 4: 18/6/2 in 33 min

Clearly, Rose still has so much to offer any team. It is extremely likely that he will be returning next season, as he has expressed a desire to do so on more than one occasion. He loves the city, Thibodeau, and being able to compete on a playoff team. The Knicks were very lucky to have plucked him from the Detroit Pistons and should be very lucky to keep him around for the foreseeable future.