Derrick Rose is now a free agent after the Utah Jazz released the veteran guard following a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rose is free to sign elsewhere in the coming days. Will the former NBA Most Valuable Player return to Chicago this season?

Derrick Rose set for Chicago homecoming?

Rose is determined to prove that he still has a lot of gas left in his tank. The 29-year-old had his best years in the league with the Bulls before he suffered the devastating ACL injury in 2012.

Some fans are campaigning for Rose to return to Chicago, especially after seeing Dwyane Wade traded to the Miami Heat, the team that drafted him in 2003.

However, veteran insider KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune believes that the Rose-Bulls reunion will not happen.

Johnson even said that Rose is drawing little interest, and there is a chance he might not sign with any team until the next free agency. He pointed out that teams are thinking that the Illinois native will just walk away after his time with New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers for personal reasons.

Signing Rose does not make sense for Chicago, considering the direction they are headed in. The three-time NBA All-Star is already 29, and is past his prime. Even if Rose decides to return, he will be a better fit for title contenders that are looking to bolster their bench rotation.

How about reuniting with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau?

Shortly after the Jazz decided to release Rose, he was immediately linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves mainly because of head coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose played for Thibodeau during their time in Chicago. The Timberwolves look playoff-bound barring a late-season collapse.

Minnesota is expected to add veterans to bolster their rotation. When asked about the possibility of bringing Rose to Minneapolis, Thibodeau declined to give a direct response.

“We’ll see,” Thibodeau said, as reported by Twin Cities Pioneer Press. “We’re always looking to look at different ways that we can improve the club.”

Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson gave his take on the potential of playing with Rose again.

The veteran power forward believes the nine-year veteran can fit into their team. He is also confident that Thibodeau knows how to utilize Rose in the system that they are currently running.

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the former Memphis standout is unlikely to sign with a team until after the All-Star break.
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