The Memphis Grizzlies are waiving veteran point guard Derrick Rose. The move was first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Rose was entering the second year of his two-year, $6.5 million contract he signed in the summer of 2023. He was limited to just 24 games last season, averaging 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
Grizzlies’ beat writer Drew Hill later offered more details about Rose’s split with the Grizzlies. Apparently, Rose asked out, and Memphis agreed to buy out his contract. The franchise felt apparently comfortable doing so due to Scotty Pippen Jr’s impressive showing this summer.
Rose isn’t guaranteed to join another team. SNY’s Ian Begley reported that Rose intends to offer an update on his future at some point this week, with many speculating that this update will actually be a retirement announcement.
Derrick Rose started his career as the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft by his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Rose won the NBA MVP award in 2011, becoming the youngest player in history to receive this honor, and was widely expected to become the league’s next big star.
However, an ACL tear in 2012 and a number of later injuries ended up derailing Rose’s career. The Bulls traded him to the New York Knicks in 2016 after it became apparent he wasn’t the same player anymore. Rose would go on to become a journeyman, suiting up for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Detroit Pistons, as well as having another stint with the Knicks before coming to Memphis.
If he ends up retiring, Rose will go out with three All-Star nods and one All-NBA First Team honor on his resume. His NBA career averages include 17.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
