Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose continues his amazing career-revival story in Detroit, where he’s putting up excellent numbers despite playing on minutes restriction off the bench.
Advanced metrics show that Rose’s per-36 minutes average this season (25.2 PPG, 8.2 APG and 3.3 RPG) is comparable to his statistical line (25.0 PPG, 7.7 APG and 4.4 RPG) during his MVP year in 2011. To make the story short, the man called D-Rose can still play at a high level and provide an impact on his team after going through a series of injuries over his career.
Unfortunately, the Pistons aren’t a playoff-contending team this season, as it appears. Detroit is at the bottom half of the Eastern Conference standings with a 14-26 record, and it seems any outside chance of sneaking into the playoff picture is thrown out of the window after star forward Blake Griffin undergoes a knee injury.
Rose is stuck in the Pistons’ limbo, but NBA teams are already kicking tires for a potential trade involving the aging and still dynamic aging point guard.
Here are five potential trade scenarios for Derrick Rose:
Looking for Pace
Don’t get me wrong. Aaron Holiday is doing a phenomenal job off the bench as backup to Malcolm Brogdon. Still, the Pacers would need more offensive ammo and a clutch performer when the stakes are a lot higher in the playoffs. Rose seems to be a good fit for the emerging Eastern power.
Back to Twin City
The Wolves are pushing for the playoffs but their guard rotation isn’t as stacked as the previous seasons. Rose, who played one-and-half year in Minnesota before signing with the Pistons this summer, might be a viable target. With Teague dealing injuries and Tre Jones regressing, bringing back D-Rose could be the answer.