The Cleveland Cavaliers should pass on signing Derrick Rose

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly have had discussions with free agent Derrick Rose. Here’s why they should pass on the opportunity to sign the former MVP.

According to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst, the Cleveland Cavaliers and free agent guard Derrick Rose are in discussions for a one-year deal. Rose won the league MVP award in 2011 as a member of the Chicago Bulls. Since that time, Rose has had multiple injuries that have limited his athleticism and availability.

The Cavaliers have had a rather lackluster free agency period. LeBron James is reportedly not impressed by the additions of Jeff Green, Jose Calderon, Cedi Osman and the re-signing of Kyle Korver. The talent gap between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors appears to have grown larger this offseason.

Unfortunately for the Cavs, adding Derrick Rose would not bring them closer to dethroning the Warriors. While there is certainly enticement and appeal in signing a former league MVP, the Cavaliers should pass on this opportunity.

The history of injuries for Rose have made him a player who cannot be relied on to finish the season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in desperate need of players who can offer quality minutes and relieve some of the burden that LeBron James carries. Derrick Rose did show signs of promise in New York despite the drama that surrounded him and the team last year.

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Signing Derrick Rose would certainly add a consistent scoring threat and playmaker to Cleveland’s bench. He would be an immediate upgrade over Jose Calderon and would be the backup point guard behind Kyrie Irving. If he managed to stay healthy, Rose would bring a much-needed boost to the Cavs’ second unit.

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Traces still exist of the 2011 MVP, but he is now at the mercy of his ailing body.  There is little reason for optimism regarding Rose’s ability to stay healthy this season.  He has had injuries to both knees, including ACL surgery in May of 2012, which caused him to miss the entire 2012-13 season. Despite a year off from the physicality of an NBA season, Rose has had three more operations on his knees over the last five years.

Major injuries to the knees have ended the careers of numerous NBA players in the past.  Some players like Vince Carter have been fortunate to continue their careers with a limited version of the athleticism they once owned. However, unlike Rose to this point, Carter also developed and transformed his game in order to reduce the toll taken by his body throughout the season, most notably by adding a three-point shot — something Rose does not possess.

Changing his game to a more traditional point guard role will be one of the biggest challenges Rose has faced. He also needs to be proactive in reducing the stress on his bones and joints. Developing a reliable jumper would reduce the need to take contact at the rim.

A major question mark regarding Derrick Rose is his ability to handle a secondary role on a team.  Rose should not be a starter on legitimate title contender and would not be a featured part of the offense, though Windhorst reports the Cavs want to play him with Kyrie Irving in the backcourt. To his advantage though, not many teams would feature players of his caliber on the second unit.

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Overall, there are too many unanswered questions and the risks are too high for the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign Derrick Rose, even on a minimum deal. The injury baggage, lackluster defense and uncertainty regarding his availability are solid reasons for the Cavaliers to pass on this deal.  Cleveland needs consistent and reliable two-way help, neither of which Rose is likely to provide.