Cleveland Cavaliers: Trying to figure out the Derrick Rose possibility
By Ryan Rosko
Should the Cleveland Cavaliers bring in point guard Derrick Rose, expectations must be realistic.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently trying to build their roster during their most frustrating offseason in years! The simple fact that they could have had player x,y, and z, but failed to do so says it all.
There is only one goal Cleveland must learn to fix this offseason. That lone focus is how do they stop the Golden State Warriors?
Improving the bench and upgrading the starting lineup are ways to do that.
So far, the Cavaliers have done an average job at accomplishing that feat. I label it just average because they were able to sign small forward Cedi Osman. The rest, collectively, would barely make their offseason grade passable.
Splashes to some degree were expected and one could be finalized soon. According to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski, Cleveland is in serious discussions with Derrick Rose.
Cavs in serious talks with free agent Derrick Rose (with @wojespn) https://t.co/bo6OOLalne
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 20, 2017
The good news is if Cleveland does finalize a Rose deal, then their backup point guard position is upgraded. No longer will we have to see Deron Williams replace Kyrie Irving. In addition, the recent signing of fellow point guard Jose Calderon simply means the Spaniard would be the 14th or 15th player on the roster.
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Besides, Calderon has been a shell of what he once was for years. His main duty should be a mentor to the fellow guards and nothing more.
Speaking of shells, here is the bad news. By adding Rose, Cleveland is not getting the player who once was the NBA’s MVP. I know that is not breaking news to anyone, but at least he would be better than Calderon!
Rose’s key is his health, specifically his knees. Of course he is not the player he once was, but if Rose can average 13 points and 4 assists off the bench, then that will greatly help. Per basketball-reference.com, Rose averaged 18 points in 32.5 minutes last season with the New York Knicks.
Despite the degree of negotiations, there’s no guarantee Rose will end up in Cleveland. Fellow ESPN colleagues Ramona Shelbourne and Chris Haynes has reported the Los Angeles Lakers are also meeting with Rose.
Story posting shortly with @ChrisBHaynes on Lakers pitch and meeting with Derrick Rose today
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 20, 2017
Whatever happens, happens, but assuming Rose can stay healthy, the backup point guard spot looks a lot brighter.
Who knows, this move could lead to more relevant moves.
Next: 5 reasons LBJ stays with Cleveland
One such scenario is finding a way to bring forward Shabazz Muhammad to NE Ohio. If/when Rose signs with Cleveland, as long as he is not shooting three’s (shot just 21.7% last season), then this could work.