Knicks at the Edge of Derrick Rose Trade with Pistons

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is set to coach playmaker Derrick Rose for a third time.

The Knicks and Pistons are nearing a deal that would send Dennis Smith Jr. and a draft pick to the Pistons for Rose, as reported by The Athletic and confirmed by The Post.

A source said the Knicks and Pistons are still talking about the trade. Knicks president Leon Rose was not at his usual seat in midfield for Sunday’s game against the Heat.

Sources told the Post on Saturday that they would not include a first-round pick in any deal with Rose. The draft pick is probably one of their many second-round picks.

Thibodeau trained Rose in Chicago and Minnesota, and now he’s on the verge of getting him back. The Knicks point guard was handled by starter Elfrid Payton and substitute Immanuel Quickley. It’s unclear how the rotation might work, but the Austin Rivers save struggled and could be removed for Rose.

According to a source, the Knicks, one of the worst offenses in the NBA statistically, still feel they need more firepower, especially at the end of games to have more options. Thibodeau likely won’t start Rose, but he could get close to him if the deal goes through.

The Pistons are rebuilding and trying to play their younger players. Rose is 32 and won the league MVP under Thibodeau in Chicago. The Post reported that Saturday Rose’s preference was to be traded to the Knicks. He has averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 assists in 15 games this season.

Ahead of Sunday’s game against Miami, Thibodeau was asked about his reputation for not wanting to play young players, and he invoked Rose’s name.

“I think you just have to look at the guys and study who was on each team – Derrick Rose is the youngest MVP in league history,” Thibodeau said. “So I don’t worry about that.”

Thibodeau found another way to invoke Rose’s name at his pre-game press conference when asked if he regretted never making it to the NBA Finals with another former Bull. , Jimmy Butler.

“I thought that with all my teams in Chicago, they gave their all,” said Thibodeau. “I thought we had a good chance of winning if Derrick had been healthy all this time. But he wasn’t.

A key part of Kristaps Porzingis ‘trade two years ago, Smith is no longer a part of the Knicks’ plans, and last week New York put him in the G League bubble to move on. share and ostensibly increase its business value. Smith has appeared in just three games this season after the Knicks spent the offseason trying to deal with him.