NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 27: Derrick Rose #25 of the New York Knicks reaches for the ball against DeMarre Carroll #5 of the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NBABy Kevin Trahan on

After news surfaced last week that Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team seems to have found its (a?) replacement point guard in Derrick Rose.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the deal is all but done.

Given Rose’s position, and the fact that he probably doesn’t want to be a backup, this looks like more of an indication that Irving will indeed be traded. However, Irving is a polarizing player—his defense can, at times, leave a lot to be desired, and he’s a streaky shooter—and it’s unclear whether the Cavs could really get very much in return for him.

If Rose is the only point guard that comes in to take Irving’s role, it could be a long season.

Rose averaged 18 points per game with the Knicks last year, but the efficiency numbers told a different story, as Rose shot just 22 percent from three and 49 percent from inside the arc. His raw numbers should decrease on a team with LeBron James, but James could also make him a better player. Still, this is not the same Rose that won the 2010-11 MVP Award and has since suffered multiple season-ending injuries.

Rose also has a questionable history off the court. He was sued for sexual assault, and while he was not found liable, he said he did not know what consent means and that he just assumed his ex-girlfriend wanted to have sex.

Despite once being the best player in the league, Rose’s value has dropped considerably, as evidenced by his latest reported contract with Cleveland.

It’s probably easier to revitalize a career with this Cavs team than with the current state of the Knicks, but is Rose really the guy the Cavs want? Ultimately, if this means Irving is gone, the Rose acquisition leaves a lot to be desired.

For what it’s worth, LeBron seems excited about Rose joining the Cavs:

About Kevin Trahan

Kevin mostly covers college football and college basketball, with an emphasis on NCAA issues and other legal issues in sports. He is also an incoming law student. He's written for SB Nation, USA Today, VICE Sports, The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal, among others. He is a graduate of Northwestern University.

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