When the sun finally sets on a bizarre 2017 free-agency period, Derrick Rose (probably) won’t be a member of the New York Knicks.
But he could be on the Dallas Mavericks.
Per the New York Post‘s Marc Berman:
According to a source, Dallas Mavericks, who drafted Dennis Smith Jr., emerging as "serious contender'' for Derrick Rose.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 6, 2017
Rose has been most linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks—only one of which still makes a semblance of sense. The Timberwolves signed Jeff Teague to take up a lion’s share of their point guard minutes, and it’s unclear how Rose will feel about backing him up.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have now added Milos Teodosic to a backcourt rotation that also includes Patrick Beverley, Austin Rivers and Lou Williams. So, they’re out, too. And the Bucks may be out of the running thanks to a sheer lack of cap space, plus the fact they have Malcolm Brogdon, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Matthew Dellavedova to run things.
It’s hard to find a good landing spot after them. The Knicks always seemed like a long-shot possibility, but they were still a possibility. Now, after giving Tim Hardaway Jr. a four-year, $71 million deal, they’re ostensibly out of the running. Sure, they won’t need to renounce Rose’s hold to get Hardaway if the Atlanta Hawks match, but, well, the Hawks aren’t matching.
And so, we arrive at the Dallas Mavericks. They just drafted a young point guard in Dennis Smith Jr. and have a couple other backcourt projects in Yogi Ferrell and Seth Curry. Rose fits the bill for what they’re after, provided he’s willing to sign a short-term deal and/or eventually come off the bench behind DSJ—if that’s not already Dallas’ plan.
Will Rose accept being a second-stringer, even if it’s not with the Mavericks? Considering how the free-agent market has unfolded, he may not have a choice.
