The Knicks have declined veteran guard Derrick Rose's team option for the 2023-2024 season ahead of the midnight June 24 deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent, SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley confirms.
The 34-year-old was scheduled to make about $15.6 million next year if the team had decided to pick up it up
Rose began his second stint with New York after being acquired from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline in 2021. He averaged 14.9 points per game over 26.8 minutes in 35 games and helped the Knicks finish fourth in the Eastern Conference.
The former MVP then signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the team prior to the 2021-2022 season, but played just 26 games (four starts) and averaged 12.0 points in 2021 due to an ankle injury.
Rose played in only 27 games with the Knicks this past season, averaging 5.6 points in 12.5 minutes. He was benched in December by head coach Tom Thibodeau after it was clear his play had declined, and New York would go on to turn its season around with Rose providing veteran leadership from the bench.
Over four seasons with the Knicks, including his 64 games with the team in 2016-2017, Rose averaged 14.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game over 152 contests (71 starts).
Newsday first reported the news.