Chicago Bulls playmaker Derrick Rose, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, was traded to the New York Knicks in a six-player deal.
This after the Knicks sought reinforcements after missing the playoffs last season.
“Knowing Derrick as I do makes this trade a hard one. 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,” said Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
“I wish him the best of health for the remainder of his career and I want to personally thank him for everything he did on the court and in the community during his time with the Chicago Bulls,” Reinsdorf said.
Rose, 27, suffered knee injuries for years. He tore his left anterior cruciate knee ligament in the 2012 playoffs and tore the meniscus in his right knee early in the 2013-14 campaign. He averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists last season.
Knicks president Phil Jackson says his club should make the playoffs next season with Rose alongside Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. The combination should help the Knicks in their triangle offensive scheme, one used famously by Jackson in his days with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.