Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Derrick Rose

Detroit Pistons Receive: G Alex Caruso, G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, LAL 2022 1st Round Pick, LAL 2025 2nd Round Pick

After it appeared that he may be out of the NBA after his significant knee injuries, Derrick Rose has revitalized his career and still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Over his past two seasons, Rose has averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 assists and has shot 48.6% from the floor and 33.8% from three-point range in 101 games.

While he is not the player he once was, Derrick Rose can still contribute at a high-level and can make a difference for the Los Angeles Lakers off-the-bench. Given that Dennis Schroder is the team’s starting point guard, Rose has the ability to make a difference in the second-unit. He is more than capable of leading the first-unit and with his ability to score, Rose coming off of the bench would give the Lakers yet another offensive weapon.

While the Pistons may want to keep Derrick Rose as the veteran guard on their roster, the Lakers could package two young talents in Caruso and Horton-Tucker and one or two draft picks in order to acquire the former league MVP.

Alex Caruso is coming off one of the better years of his career in terms of total production when on the court. He was not much of a scorer last season, but he is a guy that does all the intangible things on the court that do not necessarily show up in the stat sheets. He can defend one-on-one with no limitations, he is a very unselfish player and he wears his heart on his sleeve.

While he won’t be a guy that will make a major difference for any team in the league, Caruso is a guy who works as hard as some of the best players in this league and a player any team would be comfortable with coming off the bench. Talen Horton-Tucker is definitely a valuable young prospect, especially after his performances this preseason.

In four preseason games this year, THT averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and shot 54.7% from the floor and 53.8% from three-point range. At just 20-years old, Horton-Tucker is a very intriguing prospect, which is why he would likely be packaged in a trade by the Lakers to get Derrick Rose.

For any team needing young talent on the wing, Talen Hoton-Tucker is the ideal player mold they are looking for. While the Lakers may not be too keen on giving him up, in order to get Rose, they may have to be willing to cut ties with their former first-round selection as he is not in their immediate plans this season.

With all of that being said, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade benefits both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons.