Derrick Rose trade to Knicks creates some interesting possibilities

Knicks fans probably paid little notice when ESPN’s bottom line ticked with the headline “Breaking news, Dwight Howard opts out of Rockets contract.” They were too busy thinking about their team not having a pick in the first round of Thursday’s NBA draft.

But suddenly, it can’t be ignored.

Wednesday afternoon the Knicks dropped a bomb, when it came out they were acquiring one-time NBA MVP and 2008 first-overall pick Derrick Rose for a rag-tag group of B-list NBA players.

“Derrick is one of the top point guards in the NBA who is playoff-battle-tested,” new Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He adds a whole new dynamic to our roster and immediately elevates our backcourt.”

Jose Calderon was the headliner in the deal from New York’s side, heading to Chicago along with Robin Lopez and Jerian Grant giving the Bulls freedom from Rose’s $21 million cap hit for 2016-17.

The Knicks, on the other hand, are happy to take the salary burden, which will dissipate at the end of next season when Rose becomes a free agent. If the point guard resembles anything close to his old self, he’ll be inked to a new deal. If he sits on the bench in street clothes all year (like he did more than 60 percent of the time since 2013) he will be out of their hair next season.

As social media critics suggested, it’s a low-risk, high reward move:

“I’m quite surprised by the Knicks trading for Derrick Rose. I actually like the move — they have nothing to lose …” Mike Greenberg tweeted.

Another ESPNer, Chris Broussard tweeted: “Love the Derrick Rose trade to Knicks 4 Calderon, Grant and Lopez. In contract year, Rose will have to play his best. No-lose move for NYK.”

Broussard went on to say he heard from Rose that “His 1st choice was New York (if traded). He wants the spotlight.”

The trade makes a lot of people happy, including Carmelo Anthony, who gets to play with another All-Star talent in Rose. Kristaps Porzingis will also no doubt be pleased to have a great distributor like Rose as a teammate. The trio still needs a little help, and that could come from star centerDwight Howard, who suddenly needs a new home.

“Not sure if they can get the 3rd pieces, but a Knicks team starring Carmelo, DRose and Dwight would be the Knickiest thing in a while,” The Ringer’s Bill Simmons tweeted after the deal.

NBA free agency begins on July 1 and, once again, all eyes will be on the Big Apple. The Knicks could be a force in the East afterall.

That happened fast, didn’t it?