UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

TRADE GRADES FOR DERRICK ROSE TRADE:

Rose and Thibs reunite once again, but aside from that, this trade is somewhat perplexing for both teams. It seems like both of these teams are on similar timelines, so a trade forfeiting any draft equity for any player at this point is sort of a head scratcher. Here's my take:

NEW YORK KNICKS - With the Knicks being the primary asset gainer, we will start with them. From a pure value stand point, I don't hate the trade. Dennis Smith Jr was asking to play in the G-League just to get reps, so he definitely feels like he's worth more after being drafted 9th and the core piece in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. A second round pick is sort of whatever, but with guys like Theo Maledon already putting up quality minutes Xavier Tillman, you can't take those second picks for granted. This upcoming draft is also much deeper than last year's draft.

The Knicks, despite being 11-14, are in the 8th-seed. They must see themselves as a team that has potential to make a run, but I think they need to be going in the other direction. The reality is that Miami has won 2-straight and Toronto is right on their fringe of the 8-seed as well. If anything, the Knicks really should be looking to move some of these expiring contracts. Elfrid Payton could warrant some draft capital, Reggie Bullock, Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, etc. Not only do they own their own pick, but they have Dallas' 1st round pick unprotected - and could be a lottery pick.

Then you have the biggest conundrum - Immanuel Quickley. By default, I'm particularly bullish on Kentucky guards. At their floor, they're usually at least a solid role player. In games where Quickley has gotten over 20 minutes per game, he's averaging 18.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 4.0 APG. Derrick Rose is having a good year with 14.2 PPG and 4.2 APG, but why wouldn't you go with the 21-year old on a team with no chance at making a deep playoff run? Derrick Rose won't move the needle and all this does is create another hurdle for a complex backcourt. Last year they had a crowded front court, this year, it's the backcourt.

GRADE: D

DETROIT PISTONS - For the Pistons, my issue is not even that they traded Derrick Rose, because we all saw the writing on the wall, but it was the lack of value they got for him. This trade gives the Pistons a 23-year old guard that peaked too early and will be entering restricted free agency in a few months. They drafted Killian Hayes, who should be coming back in less than a month, and your only other point guard on the roster is Delon Wright, who started the year as your starting 2-guard. For all I know, I'm underestimating Dennis Smith, but his fragility and inconsistency have me suspicious.

Then you have to look at what were other teams offering to get Derrick Rose? He's an affordable, expiring contract - what were the championship caliber teams offering? Could Tyler Johnson and some future second round picks gotten the job done in Brooklyn? Could the Thunder not opened up the treasure trove of picks to get someone to help them over the hump with George Hill out for a month? Would Detroit rather have Terrance Ferguson and some assets from Philly? The Jazz didn't think that Rose would be a good fit next to Clarkson in the backcourt off the bench?

I just find it hard to believe that of the 28 other teams in the league, that none of them could've given more than a second round pick and a bust of a pick. Despite all of that, I think Detroit clearly won this trade. Instead of losing Rose in the off-season for nothing, much like Josh Jackson, they take a flier on a guy that has shown promise at times that fell out of the rotation. It's a positional swap so this leaves Detroit with the same depth as before in regards to the point, so the floor on this trade is very high.

GRADE: C

OVERALL - A trivial move for the Knicks leaves much to be desired will hopefully lead to a low risk, high reward addition for Detroit. This does not really move the needle for either team, but it's possible the Knicks are trying to bring on Rose for his leadership and the Pistons are just trying to keep acquiring young players in hopes that one of them breaks out.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]