Rose: I would have loved to re-sign, but Knicks didn't want me
Derrick Rose wanted to remain with the New York Knicks despite all the drama and infighting that consumed the franchise last season.
Except, the Knicks had no interest whatsoever in retaining Rose. They simply let him walk in free agency and stuck with the abysmal rotation of Jarrett Jack, Frank Ntilikina, and Ramon Sessions while Rose signed for the veteran's minimum with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Despite the negative outcome, Rose reflected fondly on his one year in New York before he faced his former club Sunday.
"From our side, we were just waiting to see what was going to happen," Rose told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. "We didn't hear anything. So with us not hearing anything, we knew they were probably looking somewhere else. And they drafted a point guard. Both sides were on two different wave lengths.
"I would've loved to come back. I loved playing there even though we lost. The city itself, the fans, like everything about it. They made changes. Phil (Jackson) being gone, I would've loved being part of it."
Rose didn't play at his MVP level, but he was serviceable in 64 games with the Knicks. He averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field, although those figures weren't enough to impress the new management team.
Jackson's departure left the organization in the hands of Steve Mills, who opted to rebuild with youth rather than to stick with a veteran. Rose wasn't offended by the decision, although he did leave the Knicks with a bit of snark.
"I can't take it personal. I know it's a business. But they'll be able to see me shine in Cleveland," Rose said.