NBA: 15 players looking to shed injury-prone label in 2017-18

9. Derrick Rose

After years of talk about his free agency, Derrick Rose had to settle for the veteran minimum to get yet another shot at redemption, this time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, the former Most Valuable Player will get another one-year trial period to prove he still has value in this league.

Unfortunately, that’ll be easier said than done, especially with so much pressure on his shoulders as long as Isaiah Thomas remains sidelined. Any team with LeBron has pressure to contend, but the Cavs also have to deal with the weight of King James’ possible departure if they fail.

For Rose himself, there’s pressure to finally have a healthy season after his 2016-17 campaign was cut short by a meniscus tear. The injury was described as minor, but a fourth knee surgery over the course of a nine-year career isn’t exactly reassuring given Rose’s injury history.

Between the Cavs’ title aspirations, Rose’s extensive injury history and the fact that LeBron, IT and Rose will all be free agents next summer, yes, there’s a lot on the line for a player who’s missed 18, 16, 31, 72 and 82 games dating back to that first fateful ACL tear.