Recapping Knicks News and Ranking The Top Small Forwards Set to Hit Free Agency

Here’s a recap of some Knicks news from over the weekend before we continue our 2023 free agency preview…

🏀 Per multiple reports, the Knicks have advised Derrick Rose they will not pick up his $15.6 million team option for next season. Rose played a crucial role in New York's surprisingly resurgent 2020-21 season after they traded for him at the deadline, with Rose ultimately finishing third in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. And he was the team's best player in their first-round series vs. Atlanta that year. 

However, after an injury-prone 2021-22 campaign, he looked like a shell of himself in limited action this past season, averaging 5.6 points on 38% shooting in 12.5 minutes per contest over 26 appearances. The only reason NY would have considered picking up his option was if they needed to include his salary in a trade. Still, considering how important he has been to the team's culture on and off the floor since he arrived in NYC, it would not be shocking if he signed for the veterans minimum and remained a Knick. However, Steve Popper of Newsday reported that the Lakers, Clippers and Bulls might be interested in signing him as a potential bench contributor. It likely won't happen in NY because of the Knicks' depth at point guard, but it would be great to see D Rose string together one last healthy season playing meaningful minutes for a contender.  

🏀 ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday night that Josh Hart and the Knicks mutually agreed to extend the deadline on his $12.9 million player option until Thursday at midnight.