10 NBA players approaching their last chance in 2017-18
8. Derrick Rose
This is probably premature. Derrick Rose will get his chance to revive his value playing on an Eastern Conference contender, especially as long as Isaiah Thomas remains sidelined by his hip injury. Even so, he’s still too big of a name to not find work after the upcoming season no matter how it turns out, right?
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Yes and no. While finding a backup point guard like Rose who will agree to a minor contract could make him an attractive option next summer when his one-year deal runs out, keep in mind that his contract this summer didn’t come until three and a half weeks into free agency, as a last resort for the Cleveland Cavaliers, for the veteran minimum.
He’s not a good player anymore, and no, his 18.0 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game last year don’t make him a good player again in the wake of another knee injury, non-existent defense, poor perimeter shooting, his need for a starting role and all the off-court distractions that come with him. There are plenty of reasons to question his fit in Cleveland.
Is it really so unreasonable to wonder if D-Rose would be playing in China right now if not for Kyrie Irving‘s trade request? And is it really so brash to wonder if he’s one more injury or one poor season alongside LeBron away from that being his fate next summer?