Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is on the verge of coaching point guard Derrick Rose a third time. The Knicks and Pistons are nearing an agreement that would send Dennis Smith Jr. and a draft pick to the Pistons for Rose, as reported by The Athletic and confirmed by The Post. – via Marc Berman @ New York Post
A source said the Knicks and Pistons are still talking about the trade. Knicks president Leon Rose wasn’t in his customary courtside seat by midcourt for Sunday’s game against the Heat. Sources told The Post Saturday they wouldn’t include a first-round pick in any Rose deal. The draft pick is likely one of their slew of second-round picks. – via Marc Berman @ New York Post
According to a source, the Knicks, one of the NBA’s worst offenses statistically, still feel they need more firepower, especially at the end of games to have more options. Thibodeau likely won’t start Rose but he could close with him if the deal goes through. – via Marc Berman @ New York Post
For Detroit, the trade fulfills its desires to get younger and add more assets. Smith, the No. 9 pick in the 2017 draft, started off his NBA career on the right foot. But after averaging 15.2 points as a rookie with the Mavericks, he has since struggled to find his way in the league. He was traded to the Knicks in 2019 and had been gearing up to play for their G League affiliate in the Orlando bubble. 10 mins ago – via James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic
Pistons sending Knicks close to $2 million in Derrick Rose trade
Smith may provide point-guard depth to the Pistons for the rest of the season while rookie point guard Killian Hayes recovers from a labrum tear in his right hip. It’s an opportunity for Smith, who is in the final year of his rookie deal and will become an unrestricted free agent if his $7.7 million qualifying offer for next season isn’t matched. The Pistons will shed close to $2 million in salary in the Smith-Rose swap. – via James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic
The real jewel of the trade for the Pistons is the draft pick. Sources tell The Athletic that the Pistons will likely receive Charlotte’s second-round pick, which New York owns, and is currently slotted at No. 40. – via James L. Edwards III @ The Athletic
