NBA free agency: 10 destinations for Derrick Rose in 2017

2 of 11

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

170. . East. Southeast. Charlotte Hornets. 10. player

While Kemba Walker is the star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets and is under contract with the club through the 2018-19 NBA season, there is a reason to believe the Hornets will need a suitable backup/sixth man well before then.

Walker’s 2015-16 backup in Jeremy Lin opted out of his 2016-17 player option with the Hornets to become an unrestricted free agent after a stellar one-year run in Charlotte. Lin could come back this fall, but Charlotte will need backcourt stability given the up and down play of Walker and the injury history of shooting guard Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

While Rose probably won’t want to play anywhere in 2017-18 that he can’t start at point guard, being a sixth man at this stage of his career wouldn’t be a bad thing for Rose’s ability to extend his NBA career. He’s more than capable of carrying an offense at the point and Charlotte would have a lethal ball handler on the floor at all times with a Walker/Rose tandem.

Keep in mind that the Hornets are owned by Rose’s boyhood idol Michael Jordan, who too knows first-hand how dysfunctional the Bulls front office truly is. It’s not ideal for him, but Rose could very likely reinvent himself playing a sixth man role for hopefully a strong 2017-18 Hornets club.

Next: 9. Memphis Grizzlies.

Home/Brooklyn Nets