Derrick Rose returns to Memphis as Grizzly
The Memphis Grizzlies are signing Derrick Rose to a two-year contract, a league source confirmed to The Daily Memphian on Friday. Rose’s deal is for $6.5 million, the veteran minimum for a player with more than 10 years of experience.
The addition of Rose brings the point guard back to his college roots, where he led Memphis to the NCAA title game with the Tigers under coach John Calipari in 2008.
Rose, 34 years old, is a former MVP and No. 1 overall draft pick. He is past his best years in the league and has battled injuries throughout his career, but has experience serving as a veteran point guard.
Last season with the New York Knicks, Rose played in 27 games off the bench and averaged 5.6 points in a little more than 12 minutes per game.
Rose could also serve as a locker room leader and is respected by star point guard Ja Morant.
Morant gifted his game-used jersey to Rose after posting a triple-double in the win over the Knicks last season. He signed it with a message to a player he said paved the way for athletic point guards.
“On the jersey, I explained that he really made it to where people believe in guys like me,” Morant said on Nov. 28, 2022. “We are both athletic guards. He was the one that kind of made it more famous with how acrobatic he is with his finishes and his touch around the rim. How explosive he was — coming in, that was my comparison. It’s crazy to be out there sharing a court with him.”
On the court, Rose will serve as more insurance at the guard spot while Morant serves a 25-game NBA suspension to begin the season.
The Grizzlies also traded point guard Tyus Jones and two first-round picks in a three-team trade to acquire Celtics point guard and former Defensive Player of the Year winner Marcus Smart this offseason.
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Memphis Grizzlies 2023 NBA Free Agency NBA Derrick RoseDrew Hill
Drew Hill covers the Memphis Grizzlies and is a top-10 APSE winner. He has worked throughout the South writing about college athletics before landing in Memphis.
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