Rose aware he could be traded if Knicks enter rebuild mode
With all of the trade rumors surrounding Carmelo Anthony at the moment, New York Knicks floor general Derrick Rose understands that he too could be shipped out of the Big Apple if the franchise decides to blow up the roster ahead of the Feb. 23 deadline.
"Rebuild - you heard that?" Rose said following the team's Friday practice, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "I'm on a one-year deal. I can't talk that much about it. That rebuild could be me going, too."
The former league Most Valuable Player was acquired by the Knicks in a summer trade that included four other players changing addresses. He's currently earning $21.3 million this season, and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent come July.
"It's something me and my agent (B.J. Armstrong) haven't talked about it,’" Rose said of the possibility he gets moved to another team seeking a rental. "I haven't talked to Steve (Mills) or the front office. It is a thought - that one-year deal. This is a business. Just got to wait and see."
Rose has sat out the last three games due to a left ankle sprain, and is expected to miss Saturday's contest against the reigning champion Cleveland Cavaliers, as well. Despite having a number of surgeries on his knees, the 28-year-old's soon-to-be nine absences will have all been a result of non knee-related issues.
He'll reportedly be seeking a max contract once he officially enters the free-agent pool, and based on his on-court production and history of health issues, the Knicks may not be inclined to give him what he wants. Rose is averaging 17.9 points on 45.5 percent shooting, with a real plus-minus rating that sits only 53rd among point guards.
"My job is to focus whenever I'm on the court," he added. "From the beginning, I'm chasing something. I'm trying to get back to myself, trying to play a consistent game."
The Knicks are holding down the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference at 22-29, but are only 1.5 games behind the Charlotte Hornets for a playoff spot.