Timberwolves sign ex-MVP Derrick Rose
For Derrick Rose, what’s old is new again. Rose has signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in a move that reunites the 2011 NBA MVP with three mainstays from his days in Chicago — coach Tom Thibodeau, as well as Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. The Timberwolves did not release the terms, but a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that the deal is for the remainder of the season.
Rose may debut as early as Thursday night, when Minnesota plays host to Boston.
“The only thing I’m missing now is the opportunity,” Rose told reporters in Minnesota on Thursday. “Talking to Thibs, he sounds like he’s going to give me the opportunity, so it’s all about learning the guys and fitting in at the right time.”
Minnesota will be the fourth team Rose plays for, and technically his fourth franchise in the last 11 months. Rose spent his first eight NBA years in Chicago, five of those with Thibodeau as his coach. He was with New York last season and started this season with Cleveland, but appeared in only 16 games with the Cavaliers largely because of injuries.
“We just thought he could help the team,” Thibodeau said. “That’s what our expectations are: come in, be a good teammate, try to help us win . ... He’s been around, he’s been in a lot of games. I think he’s seen a lot of different things, he’s a familiar with what we’re doing, he’s played with some of the guys we have. So that’s a plus.”
The Cavaliers traded the former All-Star to Utah last month as part of the massive restructuring of their team, and the Jazz waived him shortly afterward.