With the commerce deadline within the rearview mirror, Derrick Rose nonetheless doesn’t have a spot within the Knicks rotation however indicated he’s not going to gripe for a buyout.
“I’m still here,” Rose mentioned. “So my mindset has to be, ‘OK, I’m gonna be here.’”
Rose, 34, was a pure commerce candidate with reported curiosity from the Bucks and Kings, amongst different groups. But the Knicks not solely saved Rose previous the deadline, they acquired one other guard, Josh Hart, to play above him within the rotation.
In different phrases, Rose’s streak of 20 straight DNPs has no finish in sight. In the meantime, Rose has settled into the position of veteran chief and mentor.
“It’s still the same thing. I’m still locked in with the team, talking to the guys, mentoring and just being pretty much a leader,” Rose mentioned.
Asked if he’s content material with the circumstances, Rose responded cheerfully, “Yeah, I mean, why? I’m looking mad on the bench or something? If I was mad or something I wouldn’t be able to hide it. So, I would just say I’m the same.”
Still, a supply near the scenario wouldn’t completely dismiss a buyout after the mud settled on the brand new rosters after a loopy commerce deadline. It figures to be a really crowded buyout market — particularly for level guards — which theoretically diminishes Rose’s possibilities of discovering one other workforce. Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Patrick Beverly and Reggie Jackson are all anticipated to conform to buyouts, in the event that they haven’t already, with their respective groups.
“I haven’t even thought about it. I haven’t thought about it,” Rose mentioned. “Normally around that time, the ball is in their court. So basically, you’re getting directions from other people to tell you where to go or what your next job is.”
Rose’s contract is actually expiring at $14.5 million as a result of the workforce possibility for subsequent season definitely gained’t get picked up. When Rose signed that deal in 2021, he was considered as an essential piece to the elevation of New York right into a contender. But then he missed most of final season with an ankle difficulty and by no means recovered constant taking part in time.
He was pulled from the rotation early this season as Thibodeau went younger with Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride.
Rose, who’s averaging 5.8 factors this season in 26 video games, mentioned in December that he’s content material together with his profession even and not using a championship. He was the youngest MVP in league historical past earlier than enduring a litany of accidents.
“I always felt like me being on the court in Year 15, that is kind of like a championship for me,” he mentioned.
Thibodeau, who has an extended historical past with Rose, appreciates the veteran’s presence, even when he’s not giving him taking part in time.
“I always want what’s best for him. And I know he’s made a lot of sacrifices for the team,” the coach mentioned. “But I feel it’s nice for us to have him — and never simply with our level guards. He’s been an excellent mentor [and] an excellent teammate and he’s been by means of so many issues, has an excellent understanding of the NBA.
“But he’s always been a team-first guy. And that’s what I love about him. So, I’m hopeful that he’s here. I like to have him around me because he has a very positive impact on our group.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com