Knicks will decline former MVP’s team option – News Block

the knicks plan to reject Derrick Rose’s $15,596,339 team option for 2023-24, reports Newsday’s Steve Popper (subscribe link).

As Popper writes, Rose was beloved throughout the organization, particularly by the head coach. Tom Thibodeau, but his role on the court in 2022-23 was virtually non-existent after December, appearing in just one regular-season game once 2023 rolled around. Still, the Knicks valued his leadership and the way he handled the bench. , and a meeting with a minimum salary deal remains a possibility if Rose can’t find an opportunity for more playing time, Popper adds.

New York had until midnight ET to make a decision on Rose’s option, according to Popper.

Overall, Rose averaged career lows in points (5.6) and minutes (12.5) per game in 27 contests. He posted a .384/.302/.917 shooting line in limited shots on him last season.

Fred Katz of The Athletic confirms the news (Twitter links), noting that it may not have been as obvious a decision as it might seem at first glance. As Katz previously wrote, going with Rose’s option could have given the Knicks a chance to use him as a salary-matching piece in trades, but that has now been eliminated as a possibility.

The 2010-11 league MVP and former No. 1 overall pick will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team. It was previously linked to the Bulls and Bucks.

The Knicks will now have access to the full midlevel exception in free agency after declining Rose’s option, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv.