Without the presence of veteran point guard Derrick Rose, the New York Knicks have struggled considerably to manage their offensive strategy. Rose signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal this past off-season to feature as the team’s primary PG off the bench. Rose submitted the starting job to Kemba Walker earlier in the off-season, but the team desperately misses his floor general mentality and calmness running the court.
Rose has been out since December 16 when he played just 12 minutes against the Houston Rockets, leaving the game early and undergoing ankle surgery shortly after. On the season, he was averaging 12 points, 4.0 assists, and shooting 40.2% from three-point range.
In the meantime, the Knicks have relied on Alec Burks, Immanuel Quickley, and a variety of different guards to help supplement his loss. However, the Knicks are expecting to get Rose back at some point this season, but it is undecided if they will make a move at the deadline to improve their talent at PG.
Via Marc Berman of the New York Post, Rose is targetting a return after the All-Star break:
“A little bit after All-Star. Taking my time still. It sucks right now. I had to get my mind right for this grind. I’ve been here numerous times. I’ll figure it out.”
Rose indicated that his rehabilitation process is slow, but he’s making strides in getting his full range of motion back.
“It’s a slow progress,” Rose said. “I still have scar tissue. Whenever you reach that progression like that, within the next few weeks, I’m able to jump now. I’m out of my boot. I’m looking at that as exciting for me. Not having to sleep in a boot. It sucks but at the same time I was prepping myself for this grind. After I found out, I had to change my mindset to get right for it. It is my fifth, sixth rehab. I can’t complain, can’t bitch about it. I just have to get it done.”