NEW YORK Even before he tore his meniscus, Derrick Rose was in trouble.His injury and subsequent surgery aren't going to boost his standing asan unrestricted free agentthis summer. It was his fourth knee-related injury and procedure over the past five years,making it clear that this troubling trend is ongoing and not a thing of the past.But had he finished the season vibrant and healthy, Rose would still be entering a barren market.On the surface, Roses numbers this season, his first with the New York Knicks, look fine. He played 64 games. He scored 18 points a night on a solid 47 percent shooting. He bumped his player efficiency rating back up to 16.9, per Basketball-Reference.com, which was the highest its been since 2012. Much of that explosive burst and bounce that morphed him into the 2010 NBA MVP returned. He even completed his season 12th in drives per game, a good number of which were finished in his trademark acrobatic fashion.Look deeper, though, past the nice comeback story and occasional 20-point game and you see something entirely different. Not only is Rose no longer the player he once was, but hes also someone who, come July, could very well have trouble finding a home.The basic problem lies in the things Rose doesnt do: play defense, shoot three-pointers and create for others.His defense has been atrocious all year. He takes plays off and dies on screens. He often appears lost when guarding off the ball. He ranks 82nd out of 89 point guards in ESPNs Defensive Real Plus-Minus statistic and the Knicks held opponents to 5.8 fewer points per 100 possessions with him off the floor.The old Rose, pre-surgeries, was a player who could be lethargic at times and still be valuable. His ability to get to the rim and create was that electric. No more, though. You cant be a point guard and jack up less than one trey a game, and not get to the foul line an elite clip, and also not generate looks for others, and still be a net-positive.That profile doesnt mesh with todays game.All of which leads to the question: What happens to him next' Because what Rose is about to go through this offseason is unprecedented. Here you have a former MVP who will be an unrestricted free agent and whos not even 29 years old, and yet its hard to come up with even a handful of teams that mightmightbe interested in him.Of course, theres the Knicks. Theres always the Knicks. If they do what they should do this offseasonmeaning tear the whole thing down and start a clean rebuildtheres no reason to even consider Rose. That's if New York does what it should do. But it rarely does.We havent discussed any of that, when the season ends well all sit down and try to figure out a plan going forward, Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters this week when asked if hed like to see Rose back with the team next year.Derrick did a lot of good things for us this year, with the way he can break down the defense. As the season went on, he got more comfortable with the offense. Its unfortunate he has to have another surgery. Im sure hell come back strong from it. He worked hard last year in the summer to get his body in good shape. Im sure hell do that again. Well take a look at it and see if we can bring him back.OK, fine. How else was Hornacek going to respond' Eh, that Derrick guy, yeah, good riddance to him! Probably not.Also, Hornacek doesnt seem to be fully in the loop about everything happening around Madison Square Garden. Remember, this is how he responded to a question about Roses health less than an hour before The Verticals Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Rose had torn his meniscus.Still, there have been reports, namely from ESPNs Ian Begley, that the Knicks havent ruled out bringing Rose back. That we havent yet seen or heard anyone claim the team has no interest in his continued services, following yet another disappointing Knicks year, is telling as well.Think about it like this: On the court, Rose was mediocre at best. Off the court, he had myriad issues, from being sued in civil court for rape to mysteriously going AWOL on a game day.Most organizations would have made it clear by now that the relationship would be ending with the season. The Knicks, however, are not most organizations.Right now, everything revolves around team president Phil Jackson. Jackson hasnt spoken publically since late September (coy Tweets dont count). All we know about his thinking is that he doesnt like rebuilding, that hes 71 and therefore not likely working with a five-year plan, that he really really really wants to make the playoffs and prove to everyone that the triangle is as awesome as he thinks it is.Rose is far from a perfect triangle fit. Also, he despises the thing.S--t, do I have a choice' Do I have a choice' Rose told reporters in March when asked how he felt about the teams re-dedicating itself to Jacksons baby.And yet, its possible the familiarity he has with the system thanks to this season is the very thing that endears him to Jackson. Does this make sense' Absolutely not. But Jackson is about what could happen this offseason, as opposed to what should.In all likelihood, Roses future options will hinge on how much money he thinks he deserves. Aging superstars dont usually ride peacefully into the sunset. Vince Carter is the exception, not the rule.If Rose thinks hes still a player who deserves big-time money, then its hard to even come up with teams whod be willing to offer him a shot. Maybe a desperate and crazy franchise like the Sacramento Kings' Or a sleepy squad like the Orlando Magic' The Minnesota Timberwolves, a team ran by Roses former coach, Tom Thibodeau, tossed around the idea of a Ricky Rubio for Rose swap before the trade deadline, as reported in many spaces including this one, but since then Rubio has been sensational (16.1 points and 10.7 assists since the All Star Game). Its hard to envision them jettisoning him so that they can bring in Rose. Rose did tell the New York Post'sMarc Berman in early March thathe'd be open to joining the Milwaukee Bucks. Which is nice for him, though it's hard to see Milwaukee going after him when they have Giannis Antetokounmpo playing point and the recently signed Matthew Dellavedova, a strong defender, backing him um.All of which leaves us back where we started, scratching our heads and trying to come up with possible Rose destinations. One-time MVPs usually spend the rest of their careers picking among their many suitors.Rose, on the other hand, is about to learn just how far hes fallen over the last five years.All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats fromNBA.comunless otherwise noted and accurate as of April 6.Yaron Weitzman covers the Knicks, and other things, for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter@YaronWeitzmanand listen to his Knicks-themed podcasthere.
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