New York Knicks President Leon Rose deserved the opportunity to enjoy the NBA All-Star Weekend after killing the NBA Trade Deadline. Rose did NOT panic and make a Donnie Walsh-sized offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo — who will now be available this summer if the Knicks’ current roster doesn’t impress this spring.
Rose DID fill the Knicks’ need for a strong defensive point guard by adding Brooklyn’s own Jose Alvarado (25). He also signed Jeremy Sochan (22) after he was waived by the San Antonio Spurs. Sochan, as evidenced by his selection to the 2023 NBA All-Rookie Team, has the ability to provide the Knicks with another quality big off the bench.
Rose managed to do this without giving up Mohamed Diawara, Tyler Kolek, Kevin McCullar Jr, or any other young prospect. Instead, he dumped Guerschon Yabusele’s salary on the Chicago Bulls and sent two future second-round draft picks to the New Orleans Pelicans.
That alone earns Rose an “A” for the deadline. But what makes it a masterclass is keeping Miles McBride’s core muscle injury a secret until after the deadline. It’s very likely that Alvarado’s price would have gone up if the Pelicans knew the Knicks would be without Deuce for the next 6-8 weeks.
Rose’s hiring on March 2, 2020, is by far the best move James Dolan has made since he took ownership of the New York Knickerbockers in 1999. With health—and a little luck—the roster he built is a legitimate title contender this spring.
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