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Cavs in serious discussions to sign Derrick Rose

By Quenton S. Albertie

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Derrick Rose #25 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game on October 25, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 25: Derrick Rose #25 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a game on October 25, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are having serious discussions about bringing in former MVP Derrick Rose on a one-year deal.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers and free agent point guard Derrick Rose are having contract discussions about a one-year deal.

Rose, whose name has been linked to several teams throughout free agency, and most recently the Milwaukee Bucks, is one of the more polarizing figures in the NBA. After winning the NBA MVP award in 2011, Rose has battled ligament tears, sprains, bumps, bruises and even legal issues in the six years since.

Last season, after having one of his best statistical seasons since winning the MVP award, Rose once again sustained a serious injury. A torn meniscus.

After rehabbing, a familiar process for Rose, he’ll try to get back to pre-injury form.  He won’t be expected to get back to elite status. However, last year Rose was pretty good for a guy most fans have been trained to believe isn’t good.

Rose averaged 18.0 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. Despite shooting 21.7 percent from three-point range last season, down from his career average of 29.8 percent from three-point range, he managed to shoot 45.5 percent on corner threes.

That success was attributed to the fact Rose looked as nimble, acrobatic and athletic as he has in years. He was constantly able to break down the defenses off-the-dribble, probe the paint and finish around the rim. In fact, Rose found himself around the rim more than at any other point in his career last season. 41.1 percent of his shots came from 0-3 feet away from the rim. On a Cleveland Cavaliers team that focuses on spacing the floor so that slashers can attack the rim, that’s one trend that should certainly continue.

Rose was efficient when he got inside, shooting 55.7 percent on shots 0-3 feet away from the rim. He was also efficient from the 10-16 feet (43.2 percent) and 16-24 feet (47.6 percent shooting from the field) last season. Contrast that with Kyrie Irving, who is probably the best finisher in the NBA and the one with the best in-between game as well. Irving converted 60.3 percent of his shots 0-3 feet away from the rim, 46.9 percent of his shots 10-16 feet away from the rim and 48.5 percent of his shots 16-24 feet away from the rim.

Irving’s numbers were stellar. Rose’s weren’t far behind.

With that said, when Irving or LeBron James sits, Rose can be trusted to attack the rim and score off-the-dribble in ways nobody else on the bench can. While doling out 4.4 assists last year, he’d also be a solid facilitator too. Rose has a career-high of 7.9 assists per game so playmaking and court vision isn’t a problem for him, despite what his detractors may say. On a team with so many shooters and elite talent at the top, Rose’s numbers per 36 minutes (considering he’d be a backup in Cleveland) may be on par with his best years as a playmaker.

Defensively, Rose isn’t going to make Clevelanders happy because of the lateral agility that has been sapped from him due to various injuries. However, if he can demonstrate a willingness to learn defensive techniques to counter his physical constraints, like the one’s he learned under Tom Thibodeau in Chicago, he can be a valuable team defender.

One a one-year deal as the backup point guard, Rose doesn’t have to carry a hefty load like he has done for teams in the past. Rose will be matched up against players who aren’t as naturally talented as him more than he could as a starter and though he may ease himself back in at the beginning of next season, he’ll likely be able to give maximum effort in short bursts until he’s comfortable enough to give maximum effort for longer periods of time. That bodes well for his health, durability and production.

This would be a great signing for the Cavs, who desperately needed a perimeter player who could operate in a sixth man role next season.

With this signing, the Cavs would no longer have any available roster spots. It also means second-year point guard Kay Felder will be getting plenty of run with the NBA G-League’s Canton Charge this season.

Lastly, signing with Cleveland gives Rose the opportunity to stay close to his young son, P.J. Rose.

Related Story: Cavs interested in three current free agents

*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com