Derrick Rose is scheduled to meet the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this free-agency season. The former NBA MVP is still without an NBA team three weeks into the season, but the Bucks have apparently maintained their interest in the 28-year-old Rose.
Bucks’ latest pursuit of Rose
According to veteran NBA insider Chris Haynes of ESPN, Rose is expected to meet the Bucks again this coming weekend to discuss the terms of a possible deal. Milwaukee’s top executives have a great interest in bringing the former All-Star point guard on board ever since the start of free agency, but their cap situation has been preventing them from offering Rose a competitive compensation.
"Milwaukee is approximately $1.6 million over the tax. The Bucks have $7.6 million of the full mid-level exception available but can use only $4.4 million to sign a free agent," stressed Haynes, who believes the only way for the Bucks to meet Rose’s asking price is to trade one of their players.
Salary dump move
John Henson’s name has surfaced as a potential trade candidate for the Bucks in an attempt to create room for Rose. In his report, Haynes pointed out that trading the three years and $32 million remaining on Henson’s contract would put Milwaukee way below the luxury-tax threshold and allow them to offer their full mid-level exception to Rose.
Henson, who averaged 6.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 58 games last season, becomes expendable with the emergence of rookie forward Thon Maker.
Finding a taker for the 26-year-old shot-blocking specialist will be a challenge for the Bucks since almost all NBA teams have already exhausted their cap space this offseason.
The Brooklyn Nets could still absorb Henson’s contract, but it’s almost certain the Bucks would have to add a future first-round pick for the trade to materialize.
A sign-and-trade deal with the New York Knicks is no longer viable since the team had already renounced their cap hold on Rose.
Rose at the point
Rose playing under Jason Kidd’s tutelage is quite intriguing. The former NBA MVP has been putting steady numbers the past two seasons (18 ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 4.4 apg in 64 games last season with the Knicks), though he’s no longer the athletic freak of nature he was before the knee injuries.
Still, Rose is a productive NBA starting point guard who can create his own shot and knock down key baskets in clutch situations. He would be a perfect running mate to budding star Giannis Antetokounmpo who also thrives in the open court.
