As first reported by The Chicago Tribune, the New York Knicks traded C Robin Lopez (10.3 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 1.57 blocks last year), G Jose Calderon (7.6 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 1.57 blocks last year) and G Jerian Grant (5.6 ppg, 2.3 assists last season) to the Chicago Bulls for G Justin Holiday (4.5 ppg, .730 FT percentage in 53 games last season), G Derrick Rose (16.9 ppg, 4.8 APG, 41.2 FG pct last season) and a 2017 second round pick.
Rose, a former number one overall pick that the Chicago Bulls took in the 2008 NBA draft out of Memphis, was emotional after learning he was leaving, however he wanted New York to be his destination. Many sources said that D-Rose had his eyes set on being traded to New York because he wanted the big stage.
This is the final year of his contract as he is owed $21.3 million and will be a free agent in 2017 if he doesn’t resign with the Knicks. The Knicks also ended up getting rid of $22.8 million dollars and they still have enough money to possibly go out and get another big name.
Being a Knicks fan and a New Yorker, I have heard both sides of the picture from people saying that they love it and other people saying they hate it. Personally, I feel it’s a win-win scenario for the Knicks because they didn’t give up much and this could have the potential to be a great thing if you’re a Knicks fan.
Also I feel this trade will help the Knicks make the playoffs because they can more than likely go up with the up-and-coming Detroit Pistons and the retooled Indiana Pacers. Where I think they could a bit more damage and give the newly-crowned NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers a run for their money.
What may really make things interesting is if they can possibly get Dwight Howard or Joakim Noah, then the East next season could get intriguing.
My overall grade for this trade is a B+ because it helps the Knicks with a position they needed help in and it got rid of Jose Calderon. And as a Knicks fan, no more of watching Jose Calderon is a great thing.