There are three main arguments proponents of the Derrick Rose trade have given for why it will help the Knicks long term.
The first is the obvious one: Rose is a clear upgrade over Jose Calderon. He obviously is, but whether the upgrade is worth a solid starting-caliber center and last year’s first-round pick is an argument we discussed here on Thursday. It’s also just a one-year upgrade given Rose’s contract situation. There’s no need to address that again.
Strangely, the second and third arguments are almost in contradiction of each other. One is that Rose will attract another big-time free agent to come to the Knicks this offseason.