Knicks acquiring Derrick Rose from Bulls

Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at TD Garden on January 22, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Knicks on Wednesday acquired former MVP point guard Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls on the eve of the NBA Draft, giving up starting center Robin Lopez, starting guard Jose Calderon and rookie guard Jerian Grant.

“Knowing Derrick as I do makes this trade a hard one”.

After years of struggle, Rose played far better toward the end of the 2015-16 season, averaging 17 points a game and shooting nearly 47% after the All-Star break.

“I wish him the best of health for the remainder of his career and I want to personally thank him for everything he did on the court and in the community during his time with the Chicago Bulls”, Reinsdorf said. Still, he has missed 235 of 394 regular-season games during the past five years, making this a huge gamble for the Knicks, even if he’s only under contract for one more year.

The Knicks, who finished in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings last season, has been searching for a point guard this offseason.

Oft-injured Rose, 27, tore his left anterior cruciate knee ligament in the 2012 playoffs and tore the meniscus in his right knee early in the 2013-14 campaign. He had surgery on that same meniscus during the 2014-’15 season before returning for the playoffs.

Rose was drafted by his hometown Bulls in 2008, and won the MVP award in 2010-11 after leading his team to a 62-20 record before they fell to Miami in the conference finals.

Chicago get a big man in Lopez, which is something that was not promised for the Bulls in the upcoming off-season.

“This is an exciting day for NY and our fans”, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He adds a whole new dynamic to our roster and immediately elevates our backcourt”. The Chicago Tribune was first to report the contours of the trade.

Knicks president Phil Jackson says his club should make the playoffs next season with the combination of a healthy Rose alongside Carmelo Anthony and rising star Kristaps Porzingis.