Derrick Rose To Join Cavaliers? Free-Agent Takes Meeting With Cleveland

Free-agent guard Derrick Rose went to Ohio to meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers to discuss a possible deal, according to ESPN Monday.

Rose, 28, met with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, but ESPN’s sources say that the guard is more interested in playing on the Cavaliers. Rose spent last season on the New York Knicks, a team that won 31 games and lost 51, missing the playoffs. The Knicks had a disappointing and dysfunctional season that led to their president Phil Jackson being fired in the off-season.

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The Cavs rumor comes at a tumultuous time for the franchise. After getting trounced by the Golden State Warriors in the finals this year, the team faces an off season shake-up. Cav’s star Kyrie Irving has requested a trade from the team. Irving, it appears, no longer wants to play with megastar Lebron James. Irving doesn’t want to be a sidekick anymore.

Irving has two years left on the $90 million deal he signed in 2014. James also hasn’t given any indication that he will stay in Cleveland long-term, and rumors have swirled around James including the star forward eying the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cavs also lost their general manager, David Griffin.

The possible Rose deal could be for one-year and $2.1 million, reported ESPN.

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Rose, a one-time MVP and Rookie of the year, has slowed down considerably after being hobbled by knee injuries. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2012 and in 2013 injured his right knee. Last season Rose averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 64 appearances for the Knicks. That’s a drop from his MVP 2010-11 season in which he averaged 25 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game over 81 games.

Rose was drafted first overall by his hometown team the Chicago Bulls after playing a single season at the University of Memphis. He was traded to the Knicks before last season.