Derrick Rose's Agent Says PG Wants to Stay with Knicks

Derrick Rose will hit the open market at season's end, but the agent for the New York Knicks point guard said on Saturday his client would like to hang around in the Big Apple for a while longer. 

During an interview with SiriusXM NBA, agent B.J. Armstrong said Rose "wants to be in New York" after the Knicks opted not to deal the 28-year-old before Thursday's trade deadline, according to ESPN.com's Ian Begley. 

"Like I've said all along, and like he's said all along, you know what, he wants to be in New York," Armstrong added, per Begley. "He feels comfortable there. But we understand the business. ... When no one is calling for you [prior to the trade deadline] is when you're in trouble."

To that point, Armstrong cited trade interest—most notably from the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein—as evidence that his client remains in demand throughout the Association. 

"It was an opportunity to see what his value truly was throughout the league," Armstrong said, per Begley. "So as you can see, through all the reports, there were teams that were interested in him and what he does and what he brings to the court."

Rose will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and gauging the value of his next contract remains one of the more puzzling questions in the NBA. 

Although Rose has unquestioned scoring prowess when he can get downhill and weave his way to the rim, his lackluster defense has overshadowed that. 

To date, the Knicks have recorded a defensive rating of 111.8 with Rose on the floor. When he sits, that mark improves markedly to 105.0. 

Factor in a reluctance to pressure defenses with jumpers—his average shot distance sits at a career-low 8.7 feet—and Armstrong will have to find ways to sell Rose's offerings when free agency gets underway on July 1. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.