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Rose unsure why Bulls dealt him, but says 'thank you' for trade

Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Derrick Rose made sure to thank the city of Chicago and its fans for building him into the man he is today. But there was no such love for the Bulls' front office.

Upon being introduced in the blue and orange on Friday, Rose was thrilled to have a new start with a team that appreciates him for his talents.

"I don't know why I was traded, but I would like to say thank you," Rose said glibly before a throng of reporters.

"I feel like they're going to appreciate me a little bit more," Rose added as to how the Knicks' front office compared to that of the Bulls'.

Related: Rose accidentally drops F-bomb at intro presser

In a personal letter to fans, Rose explained that the Bulls decided to go in their own direction, and that he was going to use it as motivation at his new home in New York.

I understand that this is a business and the Bulls have their plans, their own ideas with what direction they want to go with the team, but I'm gonna use this as motivation. I was with them for eight years and they let me go. There's no hard feelings, no grudges. They're trying to do what's best for the team. I totally understand that. But I don't think I would be wrong for using this as motivation.

Rose, who grew up in Chicago, was the first pick in 2008 and played eight seasons at the United Center where he led the team to its greatest heights since the Michael Jordan era. He was a perennial All-Star and the league's youngest-ever MVP before succumbing to devastating knee injuries.

Chicago dealt Rose to the New York Knicks in a five-player trade earlier this week.

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