NBA free agency: Derrick Rose to meet with Bucks
As he tries to find interest on the free agent market, Derrick Rose is taking a trip to Wisconsin.
For a time, since he was a free agent and Ricky Rubio was on the trading block, it seemed like a foregone conclusion Derrick Rose would sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves and reunite with Tom Thibodeau. But Minnesota has reportedly agreed to terms with Jeff Teague, on the heels of trading Rubio. So, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Rose is taking a meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
After agreeing to terms with Tony Snell on a four-year, $46 million deal, the Bucks don’t have the salary cap space to sign any notable free agents. But they are again trying to trade center Greg Monroe, and take his $17.88 million for next season off the books. Fellow big man Spencer Hawes, who barely played for the Bucks after being acquired last season, is another possible trade candidate to create some cap space.
Sources: Milwaukee's been trying to shed contracts to create space. Bucks need to make moves to get into position to sign significant FA's. https://t.co/rxRkk6v3DS
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2017
Rose spent the 2016-17 season with the New York Knicks, starting all 64 games he played and averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. Injuries have robbed him of his early career form, but he still won’t even turn 29 until October.
At first glance, the Bucks don’t have an obvious need at point guard. Malcolm Brogdon is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign, and Matthew Dellavedova’s contract ($9.6 million in each of the next three seasons) basically guarantees his spot as a backup. Giannis Antetokounmpo has also proven capable of running the offense when called upon. Of course trading Dellavedova and his bloated contract could be on the radar, and that would make complete room for Rose.
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Rose would probably have to play off the ball quite a bit for the Bucks, which would be an adjustment for him. His poor three-point shooting (21.7 percent) and inefficiency as a spot-up shooter last season make him a particularly bad fit, so Milwaukee should not be swayed by Rose’s possible desire to play closer to his Chicago hometown.