Scottie Pippen on Derrick Rose to Knicks: ‘Good Trade For Both Sides’

For many Bulls fans, last week’s news that Derrick Rose had been traded to the New York Knicks was bittersweet. A native son, there will forever be unconditional love for Rose in his home city of Chicago. But the former League MVP was, in the view of many, standing in the way of a necessary rebuild, no longer the most important player on the roster.

On Tuesday night in SoHo at Nike’s “Unlimited Innovation” Olympic preview event, legendary Bulls forward Scottie Pippen was on hand to discuss all things red, white and blue—and Swoosh. But given his proximity to the team in question, we couldn’t resist asking Pip (whose Hall of Fame career also includes a pair of Gold medals as a part of Dream Teams I and II) about the newest man in orange and blue.

“I think it was a good trade for both sides,” Pippen told SLAM. “I was sorry to see Derrick leave, but I think it was time for the organization to start looking at their plans going forward. And I’m sure, looking at his past, he was probably not in the plans for the future for them, so I think it was a good deal for both of them. Derrick is coming to a great market where he can continue to grow in the game and do well.”

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 13: Hall of fame Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 13, 2016 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Pippen talked about much more earlier in the evening, including why playing in the Olympics connotes a much different feeling than playing in the NBA:

And about his most famous sneakers, debuted during the ’96 Olympics:

We’ll have much more from our brief chat with Pippen—and from Nike Basketball’s events leading up to the Olympics in Rio—in the weeks to come, so keep it locked.

Photos via Getty Images