Derrick Rose traded to Knicks in deal involving Robin Lopez

The Derrick Rose era in Chicago appears to be over. The Bulls have agreed to trade the 2011 MVP to the New York Knicks in a deal involving Robin Lopez, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charnaria.

Per the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant will head to the Bulls, while Justin Holiday and a future second-round pick will go to New York. The Knicks have announced the trade as official.

The blockbuster deal closes the book on an era that began with so much promise, but ultimately ended sadly thanks to Rose’s many knee injuries. Rose appeared on the verge of becoming one of the NBA’s greatest players after he won the MVP and led the Bulls to 62 wins in just his third season. The Chicago native reinvigorated one of the league’s marquee franchises and pushed them to the brink of contention.

But that new era came crashing down the second Rose crumbled to the floor during Game 1 of the Bulls’ first-round playoff series in 2012. Rose never recovered from that torn ACL, which was suffered in the closing seconds of a blowout victory. It lingered throughout the next season -- despite an adidas marketing campaign centered around his triumphant return, Rose’s knee never healed correctly and he sat out the entire 2012-13 season. Rose returned for the 2013-14 season, but suffered a torn meniscus in early November that kept him out for all but 10 games.

Because of those injuries, Rose was never the same player. He played in just 51 games in the 2014-15 season, averaging under 18 points a game on just 41 percent shooting. Last year, he stayed relatively healthy (missing just 16 games), but struggled to adapt to new coach Fred Hoiberg’s offense. He also reportedly clashed with rising star Jimmy Butler over the last couple years, though both denied any rift. The Bulls slipped to .500 and missed the playoffs.

(We should also note that Rose is currently involved in a sexual assault suit that is currently making its way through the Los Angeles court system).

In the end, the Bulls decided there was too much bad history to keep him around as they begin to rebuild their team. Lopez should replace or complement free agent big men Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah in the middle, while Calderon can stand in as the starting point guard or back up whomever Chicago signs in free agency. Grant gives Chicago a decent prospect.

Yet for all his faults, Rose is still a decent player, albeit one with an inconsistent jumper, declining athleticism and health questions. The Knicks had arguably the worst point guard situation in the NBA last season, so Rose should be an upgrade for one year before they eventually seek a long-term solution. New York may also hope that Rose can rediscover his form now that he’s divorced from the Bulls. In trading the dependable, but limited Lopez, the Knicks may also be signaling a desire to move Kristaps Porzingis to center more often.

The move makes a degree of sense for both teams. Still, it’s hard to imagine several years ago that the Rose era in Chicago would end like this.