The Cleveland Cavaliers signed former MVP Derrick Rose to a one-year, $2.1 million deal on Monday afternoon. Many believe that the signing was related to the Cavs’ Kyrie Irving requesting a trade last week, but new reports are saying that the two were not connected at any point.
As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, there was interest in signing Rose regardless of Irving’s request, and it was there even before news around Irving broke. He was supposed to be the back-up guard, but with Irving on the trade block, his role could be a significantly increased. As the Cavaliers prepare for a possible life without Irving, they believe in Rose as their starting point guard.
Rose had a fairly successful season for the New York Knicks averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, but his season came to an early end with yet another knee injury. Aside from that, there was also a very odd situation in which Rose did not show up for a game versus the New Orleans Pelicans and didn’t notify anyone about it either, citing family issues later that evening. He only spoke to center Joakim Noah, not to the front office or coaching staff.
If healthy, Rose could certainly help the Cavs, especially if they lose Irving.