Knicks Rumors: Rose, Anthony, Gaines Jr.

Knicks point guard Derrick Rose shot down a rumor that he mulled retirement during his one-game absence from the team on Monday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports. “That’s something I don’t even want to speak into existence by commenting on it,’’ Rose told Berman. “I don’t know who would do that. Not at all. I was with my family.’’ Rose was fined $193,848, or 1/110th of his salary, for missing the game without giving the club prior notice. Rose claimed he went to Chicago to visit his mother for what he called a family crisis, though there are indications he went there to see his son, Berman adds.

In other developments surrounding the club:

  • The hurdles that must be cleared to trade Carmelo Anthony prevents the Knicks from rebuilding with younger players like the Sixers are doing, Fred Kerber of the New York Post argues. Finding a trade partner willing to take on the final two years of Anthony’s contract will be nearly impossible, Kerber notes — not only would a potential trade partner have to commit to $54MM+ in salary over the next two years, but a 15% trade kicker would force that team to cough up another $10MM. On top of that, Anthony would have to waive his no-trade provision, Kerber adds.
  • Rose hopes his one-game absence doesn’t affect the club’s feelings toward him when he enters free agency this summer, as he relayed to Ian Begley of ESPN.com “I hope one incident didn’t change their minds,” he said. “Who knows? This is a business and if it was to happen I’m still going to play the way I normally know how to play no matter where I’m at.”
  • The Knicks have not gotten any better defensively under first-year coach Jeff Hornacek, one of several reasons why the team will only get worse, Berman opines in a separate piece. Berman cites the Rose drama and Kristaps Porzingis recent struggles with a sore Achilles as two other factors in the team’s continuing demise.
  • The rising influence of Clarence Gaines Jr. is the main reason why the team chose forward Maurice Ndour over point guard Chasson Randle on the opening-day roster, Berman writes in still another piece, citing a source. Gaines was promoted from an advisory role to vice president of player personnel under president Phil Jackson. Randle signed a 10-day contract with the Sixers on Monday after a strong D-League showing.
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