New Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin has worked with a ton of current and former NBA superstars throughout his coaching career. One of the first stars he helped mold was former NBA MVP Derrick Rose during his time with the Chicago Bulls. Perhaps because of that history, the Bucks are now one of three teams that are rumored to be interested in signing the recently-released point guard.
NBA Insider Marc Stein Reports that the Milwaukee Bucks Have Interest in Derrick Rose
The Bucks currently have six players under contract for the 2023-24 season (seven if Jevon Carter picks up his player option). Given their current salary cap situation, they do not have a lot of room to sign any needle-moving players for reasonable money. Could Rose’s inability to stay healthy over the last two years make him a bargain on the free agent market?
That very-well could be, and if so, the Bucks are rumored to have interest in signing him. NBA insider Marc Stein wrote in his latest piece:
“Phoenix, Milwaukee and Chicago have all quickly been cited as teams expected to have a level of interest in former MVP Derrick Rose after the Knicks declined to pick up their $15.6 million team option on Rose for next season. The Knicks are likewise expected to ask Rose to return at a lower number if he does not sign elsewhere.”
The Bucks have Jrue Holiday under contract for the next two seasons. If Carter picks up his $2.2 million player option, he will be the frontrunner for the backup spot at the position.
Where does that leave Rose?
If, and that is BIG if, the Bucks were to sign Rose, Holiday would be able to spend some time on the floor playing shooting guard. Of course, Milwaukee would be more motivated to sign him if Carter declines that option.
As it stands right now, and if Carter picks up the option, point guard simply is not a huge need for Milwaukee. Shooting guard? Yes. But not point guard.
There is also the question of health. Over the last two seasons, Rose has played a grand total of 53 games. This past season, he averaged 5.6 points on shooting splits of 38/30/92.
To be frank, signing Rose for anything above a veteran minimum would be a waste of the Bucks’ almost inexistent cap space. He can’t stay healthy, he’s not a good three-point shooter (never was), and is a liability on defense.
It is really hard to imagine what interest the Bucks might have in him.
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