The Memphis Grizzlies have released veteran guard Derrick Rose just a few weeks before the start of the NBA Season. NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the news on social media.
This move certainly comes as a surprise, especially due to the timing. Rose was expected to be an integral part of what the Grizzlies hoped to do this season.
After missing the playoffs a year ago due to multiple injuries, Memphis was looking to rebound fully this year. Rose was likely going to play the backup role for the Grizzlies behind star point guard Ja Morant.
His leadership was a big reason why the Grizzlies brought him into the locker room, to begin with. They have seen all sorts of off-the-court issues in recent years so Rose was brought in to help navigate through it all with the young team.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Clippers handles the ball against Derrick Rose #23 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at FedExForum on February 23, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. Rose was released by the Grizzlies.
Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images
Rose will now look to continue his NBA career elsewhere and showed last season that he could still provide value to a team. The veteran is entering his 16th season in the NBA and his next stop could be his final destination.
The former league MVP in 2011 spent one season with the Grizzlies, averaging 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 36.6 percent from beyond the 3-point line, showing his range from distance.
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Rose was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls out of the University of Memphis. He immediately made his impact known around the league, winning the Rookie of the Year honors.
The point guard quickly became one of the more feared players in the NBA, capping off his 2011 MVP season. The young guard averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. He helped lead the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell to a LeBron James-led Miami Heat team.
His explosiveness was unlike anything we had seen in a long time and the Bulls became one of the better teams in the NBA. However, injuries took hold of the guard and he missed the entire 2012-13 season after tearing his ACL in Game 1 of the playoffs the previous year.
Upon his eventual return during the 2013-14 season, Rose looked to pick up where he left off. But he suffered a torn meniscus that derailed everything once again for him.
He has bounced around the league since leaving the Bulls after the 2015-16 season, spending time with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons. Rose doesn’t seem to be slowing down and should find another team soon to play for next season.
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