Pistons and Knicks discuss Rose-Ntilikina swap



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Tom Thibodeau’s favorite point guard, Derrick Rose, may soon find his way back to New York.

The Detroit Pistons and Rose have agreed to part ways with the New York Knicks as one of the possible destinations, according to a report from The Athletic.

SNY’s Ian Begley added that French Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina is one of the players discussed during a possible trade with Rose. Ntilikina lost the Knicks rotation this season.

Rose, 32, enjoyed a career rebirth after reuniting with Thibodeau in Minnesota in 2018.

But after the Timberwolves sacked Thibodeau, Rose signed with the Pistons in 2019 as a free agent.

This season, Rose is averaging 14.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 15 games. But the slow start of the Pistons (5-17) has turned the priorities of the team to develop their young players. Rose has been inactive since Jan. 30 against the Golden State Warriors.

Rose became the league’s youngest MVP under Thibodeau in Chicago before injury, and off-field issues derailed his career.

A trade with the Knicks will not only reunite him with Thibodeau, but give Rose a chance to make up for his controversial stint in New York in the 2016-17 season.

The Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in Rose’s services, according to The Athletic report.

Rose is expected to bolster the Knicks’ offense, which sits last in the league goal (102.4) in Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Elfrid Payton has been a catalyst in the Knicks’ last two wins.

Payton averaged 20.5 points and four assists in those two wins.

A trade for Rose means the Knicks will push hard for playoff contention this season. They are currently sixth in the East with an 11-13 record.

Rose and Payton play a similar style. So it will be interesting to see how Thibodeau handles his minutes with burgeoning rookie Immanuel Quickley, who has become a fan favorite if a deal is struck.

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