Knicks Acquire Derrick Rose from Bulls in Blockbuster Trade

The New York Knicks acquired former NBA MVP Derrick Rose in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

New York sent guards Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant, along with center Robin Lopez, westward for Rose, guard Justin Holiday, and a second-round pick in next year’s draft. Both Calderon and Grant started for the Knicks last season. The oft-injured Rose last played a full season in 2010-2011, when he won the league’s MVP award.

Thank You, Derrick. pic.twitter.com/ZzMNVg4wuv

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 22, 2016

“This is an exciting day for New York and our fans,” Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek noted. “Derrick is one of the top point guards in the NBA who is playoff-battle-tested. He adds a whole new dynamic to our roster and immediately elevates our backcourt.”

Neither the Bulls nor the Knicks graduated to the postseason in 2015-2016. The Bulls finished 42-40 and the Knicks ended the season with a 32-50 record. The 27-year-old Rose underwhelmed in 66 games, averaging 16.4 points and 4.7 assists per contest.

“Knowing Derrick as I do makes this trade a hard one,” Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf conceded. “Everyone knows him as the local kid who became MVP for his hometown team, but not everyone got to know him like I did. While he is a terrific basketball player, he is an even better person with a tremendous heart.”