What Would a Derrick Rose Return Accomplish?
One story that caught the attention of NBA fans this past season was Derrick going through a renaissance with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the organization’s turmoil with Tom Thibodeau that led to his dismissal in January, Rose solely focused on basketball, something he hasn’t been able to do in a long time, and it paid off. Beginning with a career-high 50 points in a Halloween victory over the Utah Jazz, Rose forced people to pay attention to him. By the time his season ended in March after having elbow surgery, he had averaged 18 points a game on 48.2-percent shooting from the field, his best since his second season, and career highs in 3-point field goal percentage (.370), effective field goal percentage (.518), true shooting percentage (.557) and offensive rating (114).
While not the MVP-caliber player of the past or even an All-Star, Rose was more efficient than he’s ever been. It was a immense success given the tempered expectations that have been brought on by his various injuries. Now an unrestricted free agent, he would be an asset to a team that needs all the scoring it can get. Should the Bulls be calling?
The Bulls finished 27th in NBA in scoring at 104.9 points a game and were second-worst in points per 100 possessions (104.8). Having slipped to seventh in the draft and in need of a point guard that may or may not be available when it’s their turn, they’re left with a lot of questions about their future up top. They know they need to address it because Kris Dunn hasn’t done enough to be seen as a long-term solution. That’s why Rose should be on their wish list somewhere.
Some of you probably are groaning at the notion of this, and you can’t be blamed. After all, the Bulls are an organization that loves to look to its past and thinks that’s the key to succeeding in the present. Most of the time, that past is the dynasty years, but a Rose return wouldn’t do a whole lot to convince people the Bulls suddenly became forward thinkers. Others don’t want to even consider the notion of his brother coming anywhere near the organization again.
I get it. You want people with a future with the Bulls, not a past. New assistant coach Roy Rogers fits that bill. Kirk Hinrich and the aging versions of Charles Oakley and Scottie Pippen certainly did not. Rose wouldn’t, either.
I also should talk about the people who hold grudges against him for the SAT scandal and the civil sexual assault lawsuit for which he was found not liable, even though it’s likely we’ll never get the full story of that. I also get that. You want professional athletes to be upstanding, honest and decent citizens and not feel dirty cheering for them because of something they did off the court, and I can’t fault you for that. But whether you like it or not, the fact is all of that is water under the bridge, and the only thing teams and most other fans care about is whether Rose can be serviceable in 2019–20.
Without taking all that into consideration, the current Bulls are young and need veteran leadership with Robin Lopez also hitting free agency. Who better than a former MVP who has reinvented himself for the better? His stock is about as high as he could hope for at this stage in his career. Objectively speaking, every team with a need for a point guard should consider him.
And if you don’t think Rose still has a heart for his hometown, all you have to do is recall his reaction when he found out the Bulls traded him:
Granted, this clip now is three years old, but why wouldn’t he want to come back home? The chance to have a reunion shouldn’t be the main reason the Bulls want to sign him since it’s not a good idea from a pure basketball point of view. After all, they should get the best possible help they can at the one. But this sure would be a nice story, even if the story of the hometown hero coming home would trump why he was signed to begin with.
Anything to push the Bulls toward a brighter future must be considered, and that includes a short-term deal with Rose. That’s not to say he’ll be part of the core of the next great team, but he can help push them in that direction. And the best part is they don’t necessarily need to call on him because of his past connection. The man can play again, especially on the shooting front, and that’s where the Bulls can use every little bit of help.
