Gift #4: Unload Veterans who deserve minutes elsewhere
Derrick Rose was carrying the Knicks through Game 2 of the Knicks vs Hawks playoff series 1.5 years ago, and now he’s completely out of the Knicks rotation. Coach Thibodeau has surprised with his flexibility this year and has been playing a lot of young guys over the veterans.
The Bulls’ unreal love for their hometown hero, mixed with the fact that they’ve been missing a floor general all year, poses the obvious trade question (subscription required). Rose and Evan Fournier have both been relegated to watching the games without getting real minutes. Rose recently got to play some garbage time in the last game vs the Bulls and got a huge standing ovation.
Rose should be traded for his sake and because he has positive value on his expiring contract, so the Knicks could get something back for him, most likely a second-round pick or two, or potentially an opportunity to get Evan Fournier off the books by packaging him into the deal.
Fournier has had a rough year, which led to his benching. However, he could have a good chance at taking on a role with another team. Recent rumored trade proposals indicate the Knicks could deal Fournier while throwing in Reddish as a sweetener for expiring contracts, giving the Knicks some cap relief for a guy they don’t use.