According to a report from Joe Vardon of cleveland.com, Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose has engaged in “positive communications” with general manager Koby Altman and head coach Tyronn Lue.
“Coach Tyronn Lue and general manager Koby Altman said Saturday that the team had spoken to Rose,” Vardon writes in his recent article.
Rose, now 29 years of age, has been on an excused leave from the Cavs since Thanksgiving to contemplate his future in the NBA. He’s also been dealing with an ankle injury.
Coach Lue declined to comment on Rose’s return after Saturday’s practice, and Altman, who says there should be more information on Sunday, would not confirm. However, Lue has always said that he expects the former MVP to come back.
Vardon also reports that B.J. Armstrong, Rose’s agent, has not returned messages from the Cavs’ front office.
In his seven appearances with the Cavs this season, Rose has turned in averages of 14.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
Cavs superstar LeBron James says he hasn’t spoke to Rose since his departure from the team, but he did comment on the situation after Saturday’s practice.
“Whenever he’s ready to tell us or whatever, we’re ready for that,” James said. “You don’t ever fast-track someone’s process of what they may be going through. When they’re ready to talk about it or ready to bring it to the forefront, as his teammates we’ll be ready for it.
“I don’t know what the organization’s stand on that is, that’s different. From us as players, we don’t need an answer from him, we want him to be as great as he can be, off the floor first before he even thinks about being on the floor.”