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NBA Rumors: Bulls, Derrick Rose set to part ways?

By Josh Hill

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during a break in the second half against the Orlando Magic at the United Center. Chicago won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during a break in the second half against the Orlando Magic at the United Center. Chicago won 92-87. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose are already starting to break up, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. 

When the Chicago Bulls gave Derrick Rose a max contract back in 2011-12, everyone thought it was the first step  in the next great era for the franchise. What ensued was stomach turning depression and repetitive injury narratives that have basically drained the soul of every single Bulls fan on Earth.

It was so much fun to be a Bulls fan back in 2010-11, and that was torn up with Rose’s ACL in the 2012 playoffs — neither of which seem to be fully restored. Now it’s looking like cutting bait on the D-Rose hope might be what we all have to get used to, as the breakup in Chicago is starting to grow.

Brian Windhorst went on ESPN Radio on Wednesday to stoke coals about the rift growing between the Bulls and Derrick Rose.

"“The Derrick Rose breakup with the Bulls has begun,” he said. “I don’t know how long it’s going to last. I don’t know when it’s going to be complete, but you can sort of see it. The team and the franchise have moved on to a little bit of a certain extent…His attitude has been not terrific. The comments that he made about his contract in 2017, you want to talk about being tone deaf?”"

Now the question is whether or not these comments are grounded more in fact or opinion. While it’s been widely reported and largely speculated that Rose and the Bulls are not on good terms after all these years of injury standoffs, it’s not yet a storyline that has fully taken over the mainstream.

But as we approach Rose’s impending free agency in 2017, it’s starting to sound less and less likely that he’ll be returning at all, let alone on another max contract. Jimmy Butler is the guy the Bulls seem to be ready to get behind as the star of the future — a factor that folks are tying into the while rift thing.

If the Bulls are indeed done with Rose, then trading him seems to be the best option. With a year left on his deal, Rose would be excellent trade bait for a team looking to try and take some chances on a player who has MVP ability but the bone and ligament structure of an 80-year old.

That’s all assuming these rumors are true — something we will hear more about as this first season in the Fred Hoiberg era presses on.

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