The New York Knicks need to sign a point guard this summer. That much is certain. But according to The New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, re-signing Derrick Rose may not be the direction the franchise is headed.
NBA Free Agency 2017: Knicks reportedly not interested in re-signing Derrick Rose
The Knicks are reportedly moving on from Rose after his season was undercut by going AWOL for a game and tearing his meniscus.
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According to the Daily News, a Rose-Knicks reunion is a long shot. Phil Jackson reportedly had interest in bringing back the attacking guard this summer, but the idea appears to have been thrown out along with the Knicks’ ex-president of basketball operations.
Rose had a solid season, averaging 18 points and 4.4 assists in a bounce-back season after being traded from the Bulls to the Knicks last summer. But the 27-year-old guard became a liability on defense, tended to have tunnel vision when attacking on offense, missed a game without telling anyone, then tore his meniscus to cut his year short.
The Knicks, according to Bondy, are also lukewarm on the idea of signing free agent point guard Jeff Teague.
New York has entered a critical summer after Jackson nearly severed his relationship with the franchise’s building block, Kristaps Porzingis. The team drafted French guard Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick in this year’s draft, but at 18 years old he needs to develop before being thrown to the wolves at the most competitive position in the league.
The Knicks are also high on Ron Baker, who they made a restricted free agent by extending a qualifying offer before free agency begins at midnight.
New York sheds Rose’s $21.3 million salary when he becomes a free agent this summer and projects to have around $17.5 million to sign free agents. This summer’s point guard pool is deep with talent that includes Rose, Teague, Kyle Lowry, George Hill and Jrue Holiday, as well as Rajon Rondo, Patty Mills, Shaun Livingston and Darren Collison.
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