Derrick Rose is the newest member of the New York Knicks after being traded on Wednesday, and the 2011 NBA MVP is reportedly thrilled about his new home.
“Still, Rose is ‘elated’ with the deal, a league source told Amico Hoops,” per Sam Amico. “’His first choice was New York (if traded),’ ESPN quoted a source close to Rose as saying. ‘He wants the spotlight.’”
It’s a good thing that Rose wants the spotlight, because he’s now going to be getting an awful lot of it. New York is the media capital of the world. The Big Apple is also a notoriously rabid basketball city that hasn’t seen an NBA Championship since 1973.
Rose already knows that he’ll be paired with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Additionally, New York is interested in bringing in another big man (possibly Joakim Noah or Dwight Howard). That kind of offseason will only make the spotlight greater, as it signals that the Knicks are all in for the 2016-17 season.
For now, Rose wanting to be in New York is a good thing for the Knicks. They have been one of the league’s most frustrated franchises for a while. Anyone being “elated” to be there is great news. That shows that despite the team’s futility, New York may still be a destination for NBA players.
Still, being “elated” and wanting the spotlight now is one thing. It will be interesting to hear what Rose says if the team is struggling at any point next year. The spotlight won’t be anywhere near as fun.