Rose to New York - What It Means For The 2016-17 season

Photo: Mike DiNovo USA Today Sports

As recent history has shown, the Knicks usually find themselves on the wrong end of a bad trade (i.e. the deals for Eddy Curry in 2005, Tracy McGrady in 2010, and Andrea Bargnani in 2013, and infamously Antonio McDyess in 2002). Each deal cost the Knicks several draft picks and a lot of money that could have been put to good use over the past 15 seasons. So it would make sense if many Knick fans cringed a bit once they heard about the blockbuster deal that landed former MVP Derrick Rose in the Big Apple. Surprisingly, that was not the case as Phil Jackson not only held on the team's future draft picks, He managed gain an extra one. A far cry from the benevolence they've shown in player swaps of the past. Though moving a solid center like Robin Lopez and a youngster like Jerian Grant may hurt some, there is plenty to look forward to regarding the potential changes and dividends this trade could yield.

Immediate Impact on team

Now that Knicks finally have a trustworthy point guard, things could start to look up the offensive end. With Anthony and Porzingis already in the fold, there will be some big adjustments on how things are run when the three are on the court together. Rose never really had much to work with in Chicago as he often carried the team offensively since no other player had exceptional scoring ability (the exception being Jimmy Butler the past two seasons). Kristaps and Carmelo have the ability to create their own shots, which will take a lot of pressure off of Rose and give him the luxury of being a creator and distributor at times during games.

A New Center

With Lopez gone, there is a glaring hole a center. Luckily the Knicks will have their choice of good ones that are more than capable of filling that void. It will be important to find a big man that can play well with Rose and not disrupt what he does best. That could make Joakim Noah, Rose's teammate in Chicago the favorite, but there are others (Dwight Howard, Hassan Whiteside, and Al Jefferson) that could also do the job.

Suitable Backup

Given that Derrick Rose has had injury trouble in the past, the team is going to have to find a reserve point guard that can give him a rest in games and be just as effective. Who that player will be remains a mystery. Perhaps Langston Galloway get a shot, or maybe the Knicks could pursue former draft pick Nate Robinson. Whatever they choose to do, it's obvious that the players skill level must play a huge part in this decision.

Kevin Durant?

The Knicks are already a projected long shot in the upcoming Kevin Durant sweepstakes, but that doesn't mean they can't make a pass at him. Should the Knicks land a formidable center, there will be at least whispers in Durant's camp about the potential formation of a super team in New York. With that said, it's probably best to keep this in the dream category and focus on other ways to improve the roster (But one can still dream…right?)