Unrestricted free agent Derrick Rose has already reportedly expressed an interest in re-signing with the Knicks, and apparently the interest is mutual.

ESPN's Ian Begley reports that the Knicks are strongly considering bringing back the 28-year-old former MVP. From ESPN:

The New York Knicks have "legitimate" interest in re-signing Derrick Rose, league sources familiar with the matter said.

Rose, 28, will be a free agent for the first time in his career. He spent last season in New York after eight years with the Chicago Bulls.

The Knicks' interest in the point guard is dependent on several factors, including his health and his asking price.

When asked last week about New York potentially re-signing Rose, team president Phil Jackson said "we're listening."

On the surface it doesn't seem to make much sense to bring back Rose, who averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds for the Knicks last season, since the team is clearly in a rebuilding phase. Although he looked healthy for most of the season, Rose is coming off an April surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee.

But because the Knicks' 2017 No. 8 overall draft pick, Frank Ntilikina, will be just 19 years old when the season starts, it might make sense to bring in a veteran point guard to show the rookie the ropes until he's ready to take over. If that's the case a short-term deal for Rose might be feasible, but given his injury history that's probably not something he's going to be interested in.

Although the Kristaps Porzingis trade talk has died down (for now), the Knicks are still trying to figure out what to do with Carmelo Anthony, who has long been the subject of trade rumors. If the Knicks do end up trading or buying out Anthony, they will need someone to pick up the scoring load. If that's the case, then Rose might fit the bill.