Derrick Rose hopes absence doesn't affect future with Knicks

NEW YORK -- Derrick Rose hopes that his decision to leave the New York Knicks on Monday without initial explanation doesn't impact how the club views him in free agency this summer.

Rose left the team before its game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday without informing the Knicks. He said that he returned to his native Chicago to tend to a family issue. The Knicks fined him for missing Monday's game. Rose returned to the team Tuesday and apologized to his teammates, coaches, president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills.

"When I was in the room I felt like they understood where I was coming from," Rose, a free agent this summer, said of Knicks management. "I hope one incident didn't change their minds. Who knows? This is a business and if it was to happen I'm still going to play the way I normally know how to play no matter where I'm at."

The Knicks have been publicly supportive of Rose in the wake of Monday's incident.

"Right when I came back, I felt nothing but love," Rose said. "I apologized to them and like I said, it eases everything when they understand."

Privately, the club expressed frustration over Rose leaving them hours before a game without explanation. New York lost the game to New Orleans and has dropped nine out of its past 10 overall.

Rose said Thursday, before the Knicks' game against his ex-team, the Chicago Bulls, that he continues to hope to remain in New York beyond this season.

In addition to re-signing Rose in free agency, the Knicks have the option to offer him a three-year extension during the year.

If the Knicks decline to offer Rose an extension before June 30, they will head into free agency with several potential options at point guard. Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, George Hill, Jeff Teague, Jrue Holiday and current Knick Brandon Jennings are all expected to test free agency this summer.