With the Kyrie Irving-Isaiah Thomas trade discussions taking center stage over the last week, the addition of guard Derrick Rose to the Cleveland Cavaliers has been pushed somewhat aside.
In an offseason full of transitioning star power, Rose sat down for a rare offseason interview with Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, where he discussed the ongoing trade that has a potential starting job in jeopardy.
Rose is past his latest surgery, one that repaired his meniscus and, probably mercifully, ended his season with the Knicks. He isn’t worried about how the now-tenuous trade between Boston and Cleveland with the principals being star point guards Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas works out; Rose is willing to play with either one.
Regardless of what unfolds, Rose has a strong friendship with both players, and he feels they could easily work together on the court next season. He will have a chance to play a prominent role with the Cavaliers likely both coming off the bench and starting (due to Thomas’ current hip injury).
That said, as long as Irving remains in a Cavs uniform there will be some obvious tension and uneasiness around the team given the fact that he had requested a trade.
Rose may be fine with whatever comes about of the situation, but the sooner the Cavs roster gets set, the sooner players can start getting acclimated to one another.
