After a rejuvenating season for 3x All-Star Derrick Rose, there was a lot of buzz about his upcoming free agency.
Would he stay in New York? Would he return to the Bulls? Or would he go someplace else entirely?
Well, just hours into free agency, and we finally have our answer. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Rose is headed back to the Knicks after agreeing to a three-year, $43 million contract.
Derrick Rose has agreed to a three-year, $43M deal to return to the New York Knicks, per @wojespn https://t.co/rsBICeCJy5
— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 3, 2021
The deal will set him up for an annual salary of about $14.3 million — not a bad arrangement for either side, especially considering his standing with the fanbase.
The question is, what kind of difference will this make for the Knicks?
By signing back all of their free agents, they’re essentially running it back with the same crew as last year. Whether that’s a strategic decision to wait for available stars or the belief that they can raise their ceiling as they improve chemistry, it will be interesting to see how the team grows and adapts with time.
It will also be interesting to see how Rose’s presence and play impact the team going forward.
Last season, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game on 47% shooting.
