Sprewell for Rose?

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Sunday, November 10

Knicks targeting Pacers' Rose for potential trade

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ESPN.com news services


After numerous offseason scenarios, the Knicks might have zoned in on a possible deal.

Citing two unnamed NBA general managers, the Newark Star-Ledger reports the New York Knicks are targeting Bulls guard Jalen Rose for a possible trade for Latrell Sprewell.

Sprewell has been on the injured list since suffering a broken hand, and although he is eligible for reactivation, he likely won't be in uniform until at least next Tuesday vs. Utah.

"They've had several conversations," one league executive told the newspaper, referring to Knicks president and GM Scott Layden and Bulls GM Jerry Krause. "My sense is that it's sort of a trade of talented undesirables."

According to the report, marching orders for Spree have come directly from the top of the organization, but the Bulls' side of the potential swap is more complex.

After his relationship with Indiana coach Isiah Thomas went bad, Rose was exiled from the Pacers on Feb. 19. Rose didn't agree with the way his role with the team had turned out.

"Jalen is a great talent," the official told The Star-Ledger, "but face it: He's just not an easy guy to play with. We had him here (for 5 1/2 years), and Isiah took the hit for it not working out, but Jalen is high-maintenance."

Now with Chicago, Rose is posting good numbers, but officials in the organization are reportedly questioning if he is the right leader for the team.

According to the newspaper report, Rose's commitment to coach Bill Cartwright's triangle system is questionable. Also, he dominates the ball, which is making the coaching staff wonder if Rose is willing to play with rookie point guard Jay Williams.

Cartwright's frustrations boiled over after Chicago's loss to Boston last Wednesday, when the coach said his team needed "to have guys step up and lead. We're going to find a guy or guys to lead our team." Rose, the team's captain, didn't respond well.

"The thing about being in the NBA is 82-game speeches get old," Rose said. "You don't have to get guys motivated to play with rah-rah. Rah-rah is just that. Anybody can be rah-rah."

Rose is in the third year of a seven-year, $93 million contract and he will make $11.2 million this season. And with Spree slated to make $12.3 million this season, a potential deal is not that far out of reach.