In the last few days rumours have linked Derrick Rose with a potential move to the Los Angeles Lakers. Bearing that in mind, how could the Lakers, the Pistons and Derrick Rose benefit from a potential trade involving the 32-year-old veteran?
Los Angeles Lakers
The 2019-20 season was magical for the Lakers. They had the best record in the west and a dominant post-season performance, culminating with their 17th NBA title, tying the Boston Celtics for most championships in NBA history and honouring Kobe Bryant’s legacy.
Despite the success, their season was far from being flawless. The roster was not able to provide a solid third option that could step up when LeBron James or Anthony Davis struggled in the regular in season, which led to poor performances in the bubble before the playoffs started.
During the post-season, Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came up big and enabled the Lakers to secure the championship. However, both Rondo and KCP are set to opt out of their contracts and leave Los Angeles as well as Dwight Howard, who is an unrestricted free agent and is linked with a potential move to the Warriors.
Taking this into account, Derrick Rose would be a suitable option to give the Lakers the much-needed roster depth in the wild west. Needless to say that D-Rose is past his prime, but he put up some solid numbers for Detroit last season: 18.1 points per game (PPG) and 5.6 assists per game (APG).
Those are his best numbers since the 2011-12 season, in which he played only 39 games, compared to 50 games in 2019-20. One could argue it was his best season since his MVP days.
Moreover, chemistry shouldn’t be a problem, as they played together in Cleveland back in 2017, and even though Rose had locker room problems and did not play much for the Cavaliers, his relationship with LeBron is good. The King already stated that the former MVP is often “misunderstood”.
Financially the Lakers wouldn’t have any problems as well, because Rose’s contract is not that expensive – around US$7.5 million (A$10.5 million) for one year – and the reigning champs are set to clear cap space with Rondo and KCP leaving.
In a nutshell, D-Rose would a tremendous signing for the LA Lakers in every aspect.
Derrick Rose (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons
Much like the Orlando Magic, the Pistons are stuck in limbo. They have a decent roster that might clinch the eighth seed in the east, but that will certainly be dominated in the first round of the playoffs. The Derrick Rose-Blake Griffin duo has struggled with injuries and simply isn’t able to lead the Pistons to a better position in the Eastern Conference.
Their young core has some solid performers, such as Luke Kennard, Svi Mykhailiuk and Christian Wood, who is a free agent and has shown signs that he wishes to leave, but it needs more talent to succeed. Thus the Pistons must start reshaping their roster, and trading D-Rose could help their rebuilding process.
The Los Angeles Lakers roster isn’t exactly young – in fact it is one of the oldest in the league behind the Houston Rockets – but that doesn’t mean that the reigning champs haven’t got any young talent.
Kyle Kuzma, who has been linked with the Pistons, Talen Horton-Tucker and Devontae Cacok are young players with huge potential and could have more playing time in Detroit. Any of those players (or even all of them) could be involved in a deal that would send Rose to LA.
To sum up, the Pistons would also benefit from this trade because it could trigger a desperately needed rebuilding process.
Derrick Rose
As it was mentioned before, the MVP-calibre Derrick Rose is in the past and he is simply not able to lead a franchise anymore. On the other hand, it is fair to say that he bounced back since moving to Minnesota, having some solid performances in Detroit as well.
No-one would dispute how good D-Rose was in his prime, and he certainly deserves a ring to complete his redemption narrative. Thus moving to the current champions and arguably favourites to repeat would be the best move for the former MVP.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Rondo for me. Rose needs to score imo where as Rondo will facilitate or score depending on what the team needs. True point guard form. I wasn’t a fan when he was on the Celtics but I can appreciate his basketball iq now
Pedro Evans
Roar Rookie
I totally agree, the Lakers would have to trade everybody to get him, but it could happen when he becomes a free agent in 2021, who knows. Regarding Rondo and D Rose, Rondo is indeed a better fit, but they wouldn't lose much with Rose in his place, as he has been putting up some solid stats. When Rose played for the Cavs, he wasn't alright - psychologically and physically. So I think things could be different if they played together in 2021.
Pedro Evans
Roar Rookie
He is certainly worth more, but I would say there will be a huge competition for him in the offseason. Rondo could fit in any contender, such as the Celtics, Bucks and even the Heat. So it is fair to say that other franchises will give him pretty much any amount of money he wants. I don't know if the Lakers can match those offers, but it would certainly be awesome to keep him for another season.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
I would love to see Chris Paul head there but his contract is just too massive. Rondo is a better fit on the Lakers in my opinion than Rose, we have already seen how Rose went on a LeBron team during his stint with the Cavs
Dave
Roar Rookie
The only reason he "tested free agency" was because of the money-he was on a minimum wage. For the performances he's had with the Lakers he's worth more.
Pedro Evans
Roar Rookie
Me too, D Rose certainly deserves a ring, after all he's been through. It would be huge if the Lakers could keep Rondo, but I can see many other contenders giving him an ever bigger contract and more playing time, such as the Celtics. I would love seeing him in a Celtic jersey once again, making a push for the 18th title. Oh, it would be wonderful to see the Banana Boat Crew playing together. It's unlikely to happen in this offseason, mainly due to CP3's contract, L.A. would be forced to trade many players and would lose depth in their roster. But Melo is a free agent right now, so they could sign him, as he has already accepted a secondary role in his career, given his small contract with Portland. Chris Paul will be a free agent next offseason and many contracts in L.A. will have ended by then. So, if the Lakers pull a few strings and Paul accepts a secondary role - which will hardly happen, in my opinion- Banana Boat Crew could be playing together in 2021/2022.
Pedro Evans
Roar Rookie
That's a nice perspective, mate! But D Rose had a tremendous performance when he played alongside Chris Wood: plus-3.5 points per 100 possessions when both shared the floor, compared to a minus-5.1 points when Rose was out. So imagine pairing him up with Anthony Davis; it could be deadly, at least statistically. I'd certainly target Rondo for another season, but, in my opinion, that is unlikely to happen for L.A., because Rondo already mentioned he wishes to "test free agency" and I can see many franchises desperately trying to sign him, such as the Clippers or the Celtics, which would grant him an even higher salary. I would love seeing him in a green jersey again, because he would solve many problems in Brad Stevens' rotation.
Cameron Warner
Roar Rookie
I'd love to see D Rose get a ring, but I think Rondo worked so well in that team this year why change it? Rondo and Lebrons basketball iq in the same team is clearly dangerous, and playoff Rondo's a different beast. It's a bit romantic and not likely at all but I'd love to see CP3 and Melo come over to the Lakers, banana boat crew winning a chip together would be a great narrative
Three Step Euro Pod
Roar Rookie
Love D-Rose but don’t think he’s the right fit for LA - too much of a ball stopper and not much of a threat when the ball isn’t in his hands. If I were LA I’d overpay Rondo for one more rodeo and hope he stays , wouldn’t surprise me if he pulled some bullshit and went to the Clippers though lol.