New York Knicks Wrapped: Looking Back on Calendar Year 2021

Acquisition of the Year: Derrick Rose Trade

This one wins this category in a landslide. It’s The Godfather being nominated for Best Picture in 1973. It doesn’t even matter what else is in the category.

Where to begin on this one?

Let’s start with the cost. The Knicks acquired Derrick Rose (someone we’ve already mentioned on this list and will almost certainly mention again) for Dennis Smith, Jr. and a 2021 2nd-round draft pick.

While certain teams can do wonders with a 2nd-round pick (more on this in a bit) the Knicks absolutely fleeced the Pistons on this trade.

Rose has not been perfect, but those aren’t his expectations. Even with that, he has absolutely been helpful to a team that has dealt with a revolving door at the Point Guard spot.

As mentioned on the previous slide, he was almost single-handedly responsible for the first playoff win since 2013.

All for the cost of the 13th man and a 2nd-rounder.

Rose has been a welcomed presence as a mentor to the Knicks young players and an ever-present source of joy for Knicks fans.

Honorable Mention: The entire 2021 NBA Draft

This one may be recency bias, but the Knicks left the 2021 NBA Draft with two players who look like they could and should be rotation players, one promising young big, and an interesting European draft-and-stash.

And all of them were drafted 25th or later.

This front office is still proving themselves to Knicks fans, but they certainly seem to know how to scout talent later in the draft.

The 2021 example was their second consecutive year of that.