TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors finally traded Jalen Rose on Friday, sending him to the New York Knicks for forward Antonio Davis.
The Knicks also received a first-round draft pick and an undisclosed amount of cash from the Raptors in a deal involving dismal teams who played each other Friday night in Toronto.
Rose and Davis did not play in the Raptors' 104-90 victory -- Knicks coach Larry Brown thought it would be unfair to throw Rose into action immediately. He sat on New York's bench wearing a suit -- Davis stayed at the hotel.
"He's exactly what we need," Brown said of Rose. "I think it's a no-brainer. I haven't seen a drop-off in his game. We don't have enough ball-handlers, guys that have experience back there."
Brown, who coached Rose for one season with the Indiana Pacers, said Rose will start at small forward for the Knicks.
Rose's name has been mentioned in trade rumors all season, but he had been difficult to deal because he is making $15.7 million this season and he has an option at $16.9 million next season.
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| New York will be Jalen Rose's fifth team in 12 seasons in the league. (Getty Images) |
"Obviously, with my age and my salary I didn't fit long term," the 33-year-old Rose said of playing in Toronto.
Rose said he's going from one rebuilding situation to another, although he said the Knicks have a chance of winning sooner.
"Just because Jalen got traded we are not going to be the Spurs or the Detroit Pistons overnight," Rose said.
New York's Stephon Marbury welcomed the trade.
"This will definitely help. He plays with toughness and he knows how to play," Marbury said.
The Knicks' slide began with a 129-103 loss to Toronto on Jan. 15 when Rose showcased his ability to post up smaller forwards by scoring a season-high 31 points.
