Derrick Rose (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies could explore trading for Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose if Mike Conley decides to join another team in free agency.
RantSports' Brad Berreman explored the potential destinations Rose, who has been the center of trade rumors in the past months, with the Bulls seemingly threading the path to rebuild following a disappointing season.
According to Berreman, one of the possible landing spots for Rose is the Grizzlies, who may consider trading for the Bulls point guard, with the team likely to lose Conley to free agency this summer.
"The Grizzlies seem likely to lose Mike Conley in free agency, which would leave them with a void at point guard. Rose played his lone college season at Memphis, so acquiring him could be appealing for the Grizzlies from a fan interest view," Berreman wrote.
If Conley bolts out of Memphis, the team will be without a starting point guard to run the system for newly-hired head coach David Fizdale. Mario Chalmers and Jordan Farmar, the Grizzlies other reliable point guards this season, are also set to hit free agency, leaving Memphis in dire need of a floor commander.
Despite concerns about Rose's durability and health, the 27-year-old has shown he still have plenty to offer. During the regular season, he averaged 16.4 points and 4.7 assists per game despite only playing a total of 66 games.
Acquiring Rose would give the Grizzlies an assurance at the point guard position, while searching for other PGs who could be candidates for the starting job. With Rose entering the final year of his contract next season, the Grizzlies have a low-risk high-reward type of deal if they trade for the former MVP.
However, the Grizzlies do not have much to offer to the Bulls, who are high on acquiring a top pick in the 2016 NBA draft. The team's Grit and Grind squad of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen are expected to be untouchables, and with the Grizzlies having plenty of free agents hitting the market, they have very limited assets to package for Rose.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders claimed that the Bulls are "actively open" to trading Rose than a deal involving rising star Jimmy Butler, who has also been linked to numerous trade talks including a deal for the Minnesota Timberwolves' No. 5 pick. While it remains to be confirmed whether the Bulls really intend to choose Rose over Butler as their trade bait, letting go of Rose would make sense if Chicago wants to rebuild their roster.
