NBA

Accuser’s lawyer wants Derrick Rose to settle $21M rape case

A week away from opening statements in a $21 million civil case accusing new Knicks guard Derrick Rose of rape, the accuser’s lawyer says the NBA star should settle the case — because the Los Angeles district attorney is watching.

“I’m optimistic that he’s going to come to us before trial for sure,” said Waukeen McCoy, the 30-year-old woman’s attorney.

“Obviously if he gets on the stand the DA can use his testimony against him and unfortunately I don’t see that he’s a well-spoken individual,” McCoy said.

He was referring to statements Rose made in a June 2016 deposition admitting that he didn’t know what consent means in terms of sex.

Rose bungled a question about why he and two pals went to his then-girlfriend’s home at 1 a.m. even though he knew she had been drinking.

“We men. You can assume,” Rose said in the deposition. Rose admitted he had sex with the woman, but insists it was consensual.

He said at practice Tuesday that he’ll have no problem staying focused on his game despite the looming trial.

“That will be easy,” he said. “I have a great team that’s handling that and I won’t have to worry about it,” he said, referring to his lawyers.

McCoy said the DA has discussed the case with the LAPD, but he does not know when and if charges will brought.

A DA spokeswoman told The Post, “no case has been presented so we have no comment.”

On Thursday a California federal court judge will reconsider a prior ruling that requires the woman to use her real name during trial.

The lead LAPD detective investigating the allegations has said that the criminal probe is ongoing. If the woman, named only as Jane Doe in court papers, cannot maintain her anonymity she will ask the judge to bar the public and press from the courtroom, McCoy said.

Opening statements are expected on Oct. 4 for the eight-day jury trial.