The attorney for the woman accusing Derrick Rose of rape said the Knicks never contacted him before trading for the point guard.
That apparently puts the Knicks in the same company as the NBA.
Michael McCann of Sports Illustrated:
Julia Marsh of the New York Post:
To be clear, Rose is facing a civil lawsuit – not criminal charges. The NBA can’t be in the business of punishing players anytime they get sued – no matter how heinous the allegations are.
If Rose is found liable for sexual battery, the league could take action. The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows the commissioner to fine and/or suspend a player who “shall have been guilty of conduct that does not conform to standards of morality or fair play, that does not comply at all times with all federal, state, and local laws, or that is prejudicial or detrimental to the Association.”
Would Adam Silver use that clause to punish Rose? I have no idea. But the time for exploring it isn’t until the court makes a determination. I just don’t see the purpose of the NBA investigating the accuser’s claim now.
The Knicks – who will pay Rose more than $20 million this season and acquired him to represent their franchise – are another story. They’re entitled to play him without further inquiry, but that just seems like bad business.