Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (Photo : Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters)
The Chicago Bulls may be running out of patience with the series of injury setbacks Derrick Rose has experienced the past three seasons, as Bulls beat writer Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times stressed the franchise would happilyto trade the former NBA MVP anytime.
In a skype interview with Bleacher Report, Cowley did not waste a single second in saying the Bulls are ready to part ways with Rose, adding that they even considered trading the All-Star point guard but couldn't find a buyer on the market.
"They would love to trade him [Rose], but there's no buyer." Cowley stressed. "I mean you're not gonna take that contract with a guy with three knee surgeries since 2012.
Cowley also predicted things are going to be really ugly for the Bulls two seasons from now, when Rose becomes an unrestricted free-agency with max-contract money on his mind.
"He's got two more years after this season. I mean the real dilemma, the real mess is gonna be going in the final year during the contract negotiation. It's going to be a clown car between his brother and B.J Armstrong, who doesn't talk anyone in the organization except Jerry Reinsdorf...It's going to be a mess."
The NBA writer believed an ugly divorce is imminent if Rose continues to push for another max contract after going through three surgeries in three seasons, as he believed the playmaker isn't considered a max-contract player any longer not only with the Bulls organization but around the NBA.
"If Derrick Rose can go and show something, some sort of life and consistency next season, then you at least start entertaining the idea of a contract negotiation. But if they want long-term and they want max deal, good luck I just don't see it not only with the Bulls but anywhere around this league," Cowley stressed.
Rose, who was averaging 18.4 points, 5.0 assist and 3.1 rebounds in 31 minutes per game, went under the knife for a third time this year to address swelling in his surgically repaired MCL in his right knee. According to reports, the 26-year old Rose is expected to be back just before the end of the regular-season, but his playing time will be placed on a hard-cap to prevent further setback.
