It is finally official, former NBA MVP Derrick Rose has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the veteran minimum salary of $2.1 million. With chaos and drama swirling around the team since reports surfaced that Kyrie Irving has demanded to be traded, it is fair to wonder how bringing in another point guard like Rose could affect the situation.
Derrick Rose's performance last season
In his solo season with the dysfunctional New York Knicks, Derrick Rose started all 64 games that he played in, averaging 32.5 minutes per game. He averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks.
This was the most minutes per game that Rose averaged in a season since the 2011-12 season. He also averaged the most points since that year and had the most rebounds per game in a season since his 2010-11 MVP season.
He shot 47.1% last season, his best shooting percentage from the field since the 2009-10 season. His three-point percentage was only 21.7%, the worst of his career. However, he only took 0.9 three-pointers per game, his lowest total since 2009-10. He also only averaged 2.3 turnovers per game, the lowest total of his career. However, Rose's season did come to an early end as he tore a meniscus in his left knee that required an arthroscopy.
What does he bring to the Cavaliers
Last season Derrick Rose averaged 10.1 points in the paint, tied for the second best total among guard only behind the Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan at 10.3 points.
Rose will give the Cleveland Cavaliers bench a needed much-needed upgrade as they were a non-factor last year, especially in the NBA Finals. He should be able to open up the floor for the Cavaliers shooters with his ability to drive to the rim. Plus, he should be the team's lead playmaker when playing with the second unit.
🌹 🌹 🌹🌹🌹 Let's Rock G!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2017
Rose already has a relationship with LeBron James, as the two have communicated with each other throughout the process that led him to sign with the team.
By signing Rose, the team's luxury tax now stands at $78.2 million for the upcoming season. His signing makes the Cavaliers one of one two teams in the NBA (Warriors) to have two MVPs on their roster.
Signing Derrick Rose is a low-risk, potentially high reward signing for the team. In the scenario that the Cavaliers do trade Kyrie Irving before the start of the season, Rose could step in and become the team's starter without having the worst drop off if the team were to also acquire Carmelo Anthony.
