After just a few weeks when the Chicago Bulls traded often injured Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, Rose is demanding the organization a maximum contract.
“You see what some of these bench players are making? Shit, I ain’t no bench player when I’m healthy, and my pay should reflect my ability,” Rose told New York reporters. “That’s why I’m demanding a max contract before I start practicing. It’s about making sure my family can live comfortably.”
Rose has only played in 44% of the games in the past four years earning $20 million each year with one year remaining on his current contract. Now with the increase in the team’s cap space, Rose wants to be locked up to a max contract. “It’s never too early to discuss my contract. I plan on being here for a while and want to make sure I can sleep at night knowing my deal is in place.”
“180 million sounds good to me, very good,” said Rose. “I have already proved my worth and I know my worth. I just want to make sure the Knicks know my worth.”
Rose reiterated the demand is based on his family. “I want to make sure my family can live comfortably,” said Rose. “I don’t want to go through what I went through in Chicago.”
Rose already has a $200 million Adidas deal and has made $130 million from his basketball contracts from the Chicago Bulls while playing half the games after 3 knee surgeries and several other miscellaneous ailments.
The Knicks are wary of giving a player who is that young and long-term, risky contract.
The owner of the Knicks, James Dolan, said,”We wish he was a little farther out of his prime. That’s when we like to give out the big money.”
