It’s that time of the year when Derrick Rose‘s health brings up questions about how much longer his battered body can sustain the rigors of an NBA season. We noted yesterday that Rose is currently away from the Cavaliers and evaluating his NBA future. A source told ESPN that the former NBA Most Valuable Player is “tired of being hurt and it’s taking a toll on him mentally.”
Rose, 29, showed he can still score this season as he averaged 14.3 PPG in seven starts for Cleveland. But Rose has not suited up for the Cavaliers since November 7 and was expected to miss 2-3 weeks with an ankle sprain. The Cavaliers have experimented with several different lineups in Rose’s absence. The good news is that Isaiah Thomas, who was acquired in the Kyrie Irving trade, is making progress in his rehab from a hip injury.
“I don’t think it means too much for the team, but I think more importantly as one of his brothers, that’s somebody we got to know these last couple months,” LeBron James said about Rose’s injury (via Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon). “We want, whatever he decides to do, we want the best for him. At the end of the day, you can’t substitute nothing for happiness.”
Head coach Tyronn Lue said he has communicated Rose and despite all the reports, expects the point guard to return at some point. If Rose were to retire, it would also have massive financial ramifications. While his NBA deal is a one-year, $2.1MM veteran’s minimum deal, Rose still has approximately seven years and $80MM left on his endorsement deal with Adidas, according to ESPN’s Nick DePaula. If the former Bulls standout were to file retirement paperwork, he would not receive a full payout from the endorsement deal, DePaul writes.
Rose entered the 2017/18 season with confidence. Last season in New York, Rose played in 64 games and averaged 18.0 PPG, his best work since his MVP season in Chicago. The Cavaliers made a minimal investment and Rose said to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press that he will prove he can still be an impactful asset.
“When I get on a good team and I’m still hooping the same way, what are you going to say then?” Rose said. “The only thing that you’ll can say is that I can still play.”
Rose has shown he can still play but has not proven he can stay healthy.
What do you think? Do you think Rose will suit up for the Cleveland again this season? Is it smart for him to walk away from a lucrative endorsement deal? If he does resume his career, what would be the best way to manage his workload?
I think he will return this season. He should sign a one year deal next year for as large as he can get then retire at the end of it. Should save his body for retirement
he was meant to come of the bench when they signed him he should wait until IT comes back and come back and play until then let jose calderon start the cavs showing their incompetence again screwed up the whole PG situation it all begins with letting delly go and they should have gone after bledsoe
Damn only 29 years old smh
Bulls fan here who still has love for D-Rose, but the writing is on the wall. I think it’s just time to hang it up.
His body is no longer cut out for the grind. It hasn’t been, since 2012.
Every year it’s the same old story. Feel bad for the guy, but it is what it is.
Still miss the “old days” with D-Rose. 2008-2012 were some great years.
He was kind of an island out there, not in sync with the team. It was exciting that he was NOT part of what was messed up with the Cavs early on, being vigorous and fast… but disappointing when they got better and he wasn’t part of it and probably won’t be. Thomas & Wade figure to be the PGs. Good try but the Cavs (/James)are fixed in their ways. The original plan was the best one, that he back up, come in with some fire, and in time, learn how the team does it. Wade basically did that instead!