Recently, the trade market has heated up for Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose. The former MVP, currently averaging 18.4 points in just over 26 minutes per game, has emerged as a viable floor general off the bench. In particular, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports noted that multiple contending teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers, have checked in on Rose.
Derrick Rose Trade Ideas
Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers Receive: Derrick Rose
Pistons Receive: Talen Horton-Tucker, Quinn Cook, Troy Daniels, 2023 2nd Round Pick
It is no secret that the Lakers desire a secondary creator behind LeBron James. When James is on the bench, the Lakers’ offense falls into shambles and they often endure dry spells of little to no scoring. Adding a high-end shooter and passer like Derrick Rose would help keep the Lakers competitive while James is on the bench. Rose would create additional assist opportunities while also contributing to their fast pace. His microwave scoring should spark long offensive runs, and the Lakers could rest James for longer stretches. In short, Rose would be the ideal addition, especially with the playoffs approaching.
In any Derrick Rose trade, the Pistons should be looking to acquire a combination of future picks and promising young players. This trade achieves both. In Talen Horton-Tucker, Quinn Cook and Troy Daniels, the Pistons would buy-low on young players who have fallen on hard times. By giving them more minutes, the Pistons could help these young players reach their potential, and perhaps even sell high on them. The 2nd round pick could serve potentially valuable, especially if the NBA allows high schoolers to enter the draft by 2023.
Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers Receive: Derrick Rose
Pistons Receive: Rodney McGruder, Jerome Robinson, Mfiondu Kabengele, 2020 2nd Round Pick
In contrast to the Lakers, Derrick Rose would not have as well-defined a role on the Clippers. The Clippers already have a perennial Sixth Man of the Year in Lou Williams, and they have one of the deepest teams in the league. Regardless, both Derrick Rose can still prove advantageous in a number of ways. Similar to the Lakers, the Clippers lack a source of shot creation behind their stars. Derrick Rose’s masterful passing skills would help with this deficiency, and his elite ability to run the pick and roll could prove especially useful. In addition, the Clippers may want to trade for Rose solely because their LA neighbors are interested. The most likely opponent for the Clippers in the Western Conference Finals seems to be the Lakers, so preventing them from becoming even better should be a priority.
In this deal, the Pistons receive the aforementioned blend of young players and draft picks. In Rodney McGruder, the Pistons get a hard-working veteran who will be a good locker room presence. However, he doesn’t have a long-term contract, and he likely will not play into the Pistons’ long term plans.
Thus, Jerome Robinson and Mfiondu Kabengele are the most intriguing players in this deal. Both are former first-rounders drafted within the last two years, so it is far too early to label them as busts. And with Jerry West‘s remarkable draft history, the Pistons could very well be receiving two future stars. Even if they do not end up as All-Stars, Robinson and Kabengele should receive ample playing time right off the bat, and they’ll lead a long overdue youth movement in Detroit.
Philadelphia 76ers
76ers Receive: Derrick Rose, Langston Galloway
Pistons Receive: Mike Scott, Zhaire Smith, Shake Milton, Jonah Bolden, both 2020 2nd Round Picks
The 76ers are one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA, largely due to their lack of depth and nonexistent offensive identity. The team sits 28th in bench points per game, as well as 20th in offensive rating. The addition of Derrick Rose and Langston Galloway would alleviate both problems, making the Eastern Conference even more unpredictable. Rose excels in isolation situations, offering quick points off the bench when Simmons is out. Additionally, his pick and roll abilities should come in handy on a team with two All-Star centers. The acquisition of Langston Galloway would similarly transform the 76ers poor offense. Currently, Galloway is shooting a stellar 40 percent from three in 25 minutes a game. He would provide much-needed spacing to draw defensive pressure off non-shooter Ben Simmons, and he would enhance a stale offense taking the sixth-fewest threes in the league.
For the Pistons, this blockbuster offers yet another solid combination of young players and picks. The lone veteran in the trade, Mike Scott would serve as a valuable veteran presence for the rebuilding 76ers. However, similar to McGruder, he likely will not play into the Pistons’ long-term plans.
The centerpiece of the trade, Zhaire Smith is a former first-rounder with very little game time experience. He is an athletic, albeit raw, prospect who is still far from playing big minutes in the NBA. He oozes potential, but the Pistons have to make a commitment to not rush his development, a lesson they should have learned from the Stanley Johnson failure.
Shake Milton and Jonah Bolden are two other young players who haven’t played much in their careers. For the Pistons, they are essentially buy-low, sell-high type players who could contribute later with development.
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