Timberwolves have no plans to sign Derrick Rose

It’s an easy and convenient tie, but the Minnesota Timberwolves apparently don’t see Derrick Rose as a fit.

Part of the Cleveland Cavaliers trade deadline remodeling sent Derrick Rose to the Utah Jazz, who promptly waived him. The Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves immediately surfaced as teams with possible interest, but owner Glen Taylor told Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune the Timberwolves have no plans to fill a vacant roster spot.

"If we could find the right person to fit into our team and have some ability to play, get out there on the floor, we are certainly going to look at it,” Taylor told The Star Tribune’s Sid Hartman. “We kept one slot open all year long just in case that possibility occurred. But as of today we don’t have anybody in mind."

Taylor’s comments were in reference to the bigger picture of adding a player for the latter part of the regular season and into the playoffs, rather than pinpointing Rose specifically. Marc Stein of the New York Times  reported earlier this week Rose won’t sign anywhere until after the All-Star break, which is upon us now.

Jeff Teague is Minnesota’s starting point guard, with Tyus Jones performing very capably as his backup. So the only spot for Rose would be as the No. 3 point guard in place of Aaron Brooks, who has played 157 minutes all season. Any more of a role than that would significantly expose Rose as the player he has been in recent years–a lackluster defender with an offensive game that has not evolved along with the rest of the league.

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In his dual role as head coach and front office lead, Tom Thibodeau wanted to install some of his past culture with the Chicago Bulls heading into his second season in Minnesota. The acquisitions of Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson last summer accomplished that, and they also happen to be the only remaining useful members of that particular band. If Thibodeau thought Rose was a fit, there would at least be more positive steam tying the two sides together by now.