Derrick Rose finally has an NBA team. Minnesota Timberwolves have announced on Thursday that they have signed the 2011 NBA regular season MVP for the rest of the 2017-18 season. In Minnesota, Rose will be reunited with his former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and teammates Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson.
Derrick Rose started the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who ended up trading him to Utah Jazz at NBA trade deadline. The Jazz released the 29-year-old immediately, and it looked like there were just a handful of teams remotely interested in picking him up.
“We just thought he could help the team,” – said Timberwolves coach Thibodeau .”That’s what our expectations are: come in, be a good teammate, try to help us win. … He’s been around. He’s been in a lot of games. I think he’s seen a lot of different things, he’s familiar with what we’re doing, he’s played with some of the guys we have. So that’s a plus.“
Once regarded as one of the most talented point guards in the league, Rose never managed to reach his full potential due to multiple injuries he had over the course of his career. He joined the Cleveland Cavaliers on a veteran’s minimum, hoping to resurrect his career, but he failed to fit in there. Maybe he will get the chance in Minnesota.
“The only thing I’m missing now is the opportunity,” – Rose told reporters. “Talking to Thibs, he sounds like he’s going to give me the opportunity, so it’s all about learning the guys and fitting in at the right time. I think I can play with anybody, to tell you the truth. I know the game. I’m not a selfish player. I’m not here for stats or anything like that. I just want to win and help this team and franchise win.“
