The Knicks Obtained Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday in a Five-Player Deal
New York acquired former NBA MVP Derrick Rose and guard Justin Holiday from Chicago on June 22, 2016, along with a 2017 second-round selection. The Bulls received center Robin Lopez, young guard Jerian Grant and veteran point guard José Calderón. The pick was eventually used at No. 44 on Damyean Dotson in 2017. Rose had been the face of Chicago since the 2008 draft, but multiple knee injuries had complicated his tenure and the club was moving toward a different backcourt arrangement. New York wanted another scoring guard alongside Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porziņģis. Chicago emphasized interior depth, youth and financial flexibility while losing a recognizable franchise figure. This was not a straight swap of Rose for Lopez; Holiday, Grant, Calderón and the future second were all part of the actual agreement.
Rose Scored Eighteen Per Game but New York Missed the Playoffs
Rose started all 64 Knicks games he played in 2016-17 and averaged 18.0 points with 4.4 assists. That was a substantial individual scoring contribution from a player whose prime Chicago seasons were interrupted by injury. It did not turn New York into a playoff team, and his first Knicks stint ended when he signed with Cleveland in the following offseason. Holiday appeared as a guard and wing reserve while New York assessed its perimeter options. The second-round pick produced a separate opportunity in Dotson, who later appeared in NBA games for the Knicks. The inherited B Knicks grade reflects an actual season of Rose starting and a draft option, not an immediate return to his 2011 MVP standard. Neither Rose later career revival nor his second Knicks stint belongs automatically to this single 2016 agreement.
Lopez Became Chicago Starting Center Across Multiple Seasons
Lopez was the clearest immediate Bulls return. He started 81 games in 2016-17, averaging 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds while giving a club led by Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade interior size and screens. He stayed in Chicago beyond that season and served as an experienced center during a further rebuild. Grant provided reserve guard minutes and developmental flexibility, while Calderón was moved again rather than occupying a lasting Bulls starting role. Chicago C is lower than New York B in the inherited grades, but its practical player return was not an empty roster slot. Lopez provided multiple seasons of dependable center play, an important distinction when comparing Rose short New York scoring stint with the long-term costs of the trade.
Final Verdict
Knicks Win according to the inherited B New York versus C Chicago grades. New York received Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-rounder used on Damyean Dotson; Rose averaged 18.0 points and 4.4 assists over 64 starts. Chicago got Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and José Calderón, with Lopez becoming its regular starting center.