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.
Stinging Move
The Hornets must sort out the Terry Rozier-Devonte’ Graham dynamics now. Charlotte went all in for Rozier with the initial thought the young vet would be a solid replacement to Kemba Walker. Apparently, Graham has turned into one, leading his team in points and assists per game. That leaves Rozier expendable. Swapping him for Rose and add-ins would be an ideal move contract-wise and basketball-wise for the Hornets.
Blazing Road
Anfernee Simons is still green. Derrick Rose could come in to mentor him and bring firepower off the bench while Damian Lillard is taking a breather. Rose has also become a better facilitator this past couple of years, something Simons has to learn more of. A package consists of Mario Henzoja and a second-round pick could do the trick here.
Return of Windy City Assassin
The Bulls haven’t had much success since they traded Rose to the New York Knicks in 2016. Chicago is still finding the right winning formula with their young core. They might need a veteran presence in the locker room to guide them through. The Windy City Assassin is just the right man of the job. There’s no better place to play his final seasons than Chicago where it all started.
