Celtics Could Pursue Derrick Rose In NBA Free Agency

The Boston Celtics could pursue former NBA MVP Derrick Rose in free agency, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. Rose becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30 since the New York Knicks didn’t pick up his 2023-24 team option.

“There are contending teams — the Lakers, Suns and Celtics or even a return to his hometown Bulls — who could have minutes available at point guard for Rose,” Popper wrote. “He is healthy and has adjusted his game, becoming more of a three-point threat in recent years.”

Rose signed a three-year, $43.6 million contract with the Knicks in August 2021. The Memphis product has only played in 53 games since signing that contract, averaging 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

D-Rose appeared in 26 games in 2021-22 before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery and only 27 games this past season. He was removed from the playing rotation in early December. Rose averaged a career-low 5.6 points in 2022-23.

Since Rose has a close relationship with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, it’s possible the Chicago native could re-sign with New York on a cheap contract. However, if Rose wants to play, he probably needs to leave the Big Appl since the team has several guards ahead of him in the rotation.

The 34-year-old Rose has career averages of 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. He turns 35 in October. It will be fascinating to see if Rose lands with a team this summer, re-signs with the Knicks or retires from the NBA.

During the 2010-11 season, Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history with his hometown Bulls. He averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists and led Chicago to the best record in the NBA.

The Bulls made it to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.