Perhaps no player in the league has a better comeback story than Derrick Rose. After a slew of injuries stole his basketball prime, he has rebounded in a tremendous way with the Pistons.
This season, he is averaging 17 points and 5.8 assists on 49% shooting. In the past five games alone, Rose has scored a combined 121 points with great efficiency. The former MVP clearly still has a lot left in the tank. For the Pistons, it is speculated that they could use Derrick’s resurgence to vault a much-needed rebuild.
And thus, his name has been the subject of many trade rumors these past few weeks, and it is believed that a number of teams have an interest in taking him on. Here are the Top 5 potential destinations for the 31-year-old guard.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics seem to be on the hunt for an additional scoring threat. And while Danny Ainge has already made it clear that he is unwilling to trade any of the team’s prized youngsters, they might not need to in a trade for Derrick Rose.
An offer of Gordon Hayward and a few of their heap of draft picks might be enough to get the conversation started. For Boston, Rose would be an excellent fit next to Kemba and young defender Marcus Smart, and coach Brad Stevens might even try playing them together.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Laker’s search for a playmaking guard is probably the league’s worst-kept secret. With Rondo almost unplayable and Avery Bradley a shell of his former self, newly promoted Rob Pelinka knows what he’s looking for this trade season.
Rose, even at this stage, checks every box for them. He is a veteran who knows how to play the game, can create shots for others with his driving and scoring ability, and (more importantly) gives them another option besides Rondo, Caruso, and Bradley. An offer of KCP, DeMarcus Cousins, and Quinn Cook seems fair.
Milwaukee Bucks
With the NBA’s best record, the Milwaukee Bucks hardly need to make any type of move this February. Still, Bucks GM Jon Horst is not one who is known to sit on his hands.
Without giving up any major pieces, the Bucks will likely do their due diligence in trade talks, and Derrick Rose makes sense as a potential target. With a balanced offensive game, Rose’s scoring boost would be a valuable addition to the Giannis-led Bucks. He would take the pressure off the main guys while adding depth to the front-cour to compensate for the loss of Malcolm Brogdon.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are not where they want to be this season. After entering the season with high Championship hopes, they are just 25-15 in the East as they stand at 5th in the Conference.
While Rose wouldn’t fill all their needs, his presence would certainly help. As a veteran scorer who can score both inside and out, he would help ease Philly’s offensive woes. Besides Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Simmons, Derrick would get to play in a pressure-free environment. A package including Al Horford and Furkan Korkmaz could be ideal.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are the surprise team of the season. Behind the play of superstars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, they have become bonafide Championship contenders.
And while Rose’s fit with Luka and the crew is questionable, he’d help them become even more potent on the offensive end. Rose would add much-needed backcourt depth off the bench and could relieve pressure off Luka when they are on the court together.
A package including Kleber, Barea, or Curry would likely be required.
