While the NBA world is still in shock about Kyrie Irving's most recent trade request, the Cleveland Cavaliers are trying their best to focus on other ways to improve. It was reported last week that free-agent guard Derrick Rose has expressed strong interest in joining the Cavaliers this summer. The story about Rose's potential signing with Cleveland was overshadowed by Kyrie Irving's trade request, but it seems like this deal could still be done. The former league MVP played 64 games for the New York Knicks last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in April.
During the 2016/2017 season with the Knicks he averaged 18.0 points and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 47% from the field. It was a solid season for the former number one draft pick, considering all the injuries he has had over the past few years. This summer he is a free-agent and he's looking to revitalize his career once again. Cleveland Cavaliers could be the perfect fit for him if the deal goes through eventually.
Another MVP on the Cavaliers roster next season?
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Derrick Rose is meeting with the Cavaliers front office on Monday in Ohio. The two sides are reportedly negotiating a potential one-year deal worth around $2 million for the next season.
Rose himself is apparently only interested in joining either the Cavaliers or the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. Those are the two teams that the 6-foot-3 point guard listed as his preferred landing spots, and right now the Cavs seem to be the favorites.
Sources: Derrick Rose, Cleveland Cavaliers meeting today to discuss deal. Story: https://t.co/opYRoCzOoM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 24. srpnja 2017.
Rose was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2011, becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history at the age of 23.
If he ends up in Cleveland this summer after all, the Cavaliers would have two former league MVP's on their roster - LeBron James and Derrick Rose. The two of them have had several playoff battles during Rose's playing days with the Chicago Bulls, and it would be interesting to see them play on the same team.
Speights headed to Orlando
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today Sports reported on Monday that the Orlando Magic have agreed on a one-year contract with free-agent center Marreese Speights. According to Zillgitt, Speights will sign a deal worth $2.1 million for the next season as he enters his 10th season in the league.
Marreese Speights headed to the Magic on a one-year, veteran's minimum deal ($2.1M), I'm told. https://t.co/GlpynXpEGu
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) 24. srpnja 2017.
Speights entered the league in 2008 and was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. He is a 6-foot-10 center with decent shooting abilities but his effort on the defensive end is often questionable. Speights played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, and averaged 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from the three-point line.