Ex-MVP Derrick Rose to sign with Cavs
For the moment, the Cleveland Cavaliers have one content, proven point guard.
Free agent Derrick Rose agreed Monday to sign with Cleveland, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press. Rose, a former MVP who has battled knee injuries, will get a one-year contract at the veteran’s minimum of $2.1 million.
The deal is expected to be announced Tuesday.
Rose, 28, averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists with the New York Knicks last season. His role with the Cavs is to be determined as he could be used as a backup or even start depending on what the team does with All-Star Kyrie Irving, who recently asked for a trade.
Irving’s demands have complicated things for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who were beaten by the Warriors in the Finals. They’ll certainly find interest in Irving, who is under contract for the next two seasons, but it may be challenging to find comparable talent in return.
That’s where Rose comes in. When healthy, Rose is a dynamic scorer capable of taking over a game, and paired with LeBron James, he could be even more dangerous.
Not long after reports surfaced of Rose’s agreement, James posted a message on Twitter with five rose emojis followed by, “Let’s Rock G!!”
Rose drew interest from other teams. He met with Cleveland’s front office Monday, when the team promoted Koby Altman to be its full-time general manger after he served as the interim GM since mid-June.
Rose just completed his eighth season since being drafted first overall by Chicago in 2008. He was named the league’s MVP in 2011 while with the Bulls. Rose sat out the 2012-13 season following knee surgery.
Because the Cavaliers are so far over the salary cap, they could only offer Rose a one-year deal. But the possibility of playing alongside James, who can become a free agent next summer, and to contend for a title could offset any financial concerns for Rose.
Previously, there had been a news conference scheduled for Wednesday with owner Dan Gilbert and Altman, whose promotion had been expected for days. Now that news conference might include Rose.
Gasol signs: The San Antonio Spurs re-signed center Pau Gasol to a three-year contract, confirming earlier reports.
Gasol opted out of the two-year deal he signed last summer to give the Spurs more salary-cap flexibility to supplement the roster in free agency. But he always intended to re-sign with San Antonio, where he averaged 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in just over 25 minutes per game last season.
Gasol’s help allowed the Spurs to add Rudy Gay and Brandon Paul in free agency.
Briefly: The Detroit Pistons have signed Luis Montero to a two-way contract. The 6-foot-7 Montero played 49 games last season for the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Reno Bighorns of the NBA G League. He played in 12 NBA games with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015-16, averaging 1.2 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.1 assists . ... Former Villanova point guard Ryan Arcidiacono, who played with Chicago’s Las Vegas Summer League team, agreed to a twoway deal with the Bulls. ... Forward Matt Costello, who played with the Spurs’ summer league team, signed a two-way deal with San Antonio . ... Guard Derrick Walton Jr. signed a two-way deal with the Miami Heat.