Cleveland Cavaliers: Early grades for each offseason move
By Ryan Piers
Buying low with D-Rose
A notable caveat to all the Derrick Rose criticism was the fact that he was inked to a one-year, $2.1 million contract in the offseason. That’s the veteran’s minimum. The former MVP came with almost no risk.
But how does the disposable commodity grade out? You can start nearly any analytical piece about Rose with the words “plagued by injury.” So I will here. Plagued by injury, Rose has only played in seven of his team’s 13 games.
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The Cavs are 4-3 in those contests, with a 6-7 overall record. So the team is winning more games with Rose in the lineup as opposed to out.
But the first-year Cav is on pace for career lows in points, rebounds, assists and pretty much everything else. His plus/minus isn’t good and he has a negative win share. Basically, that means former MVP Derrick Rose is playing worse than the average NBA player.
But Rose’s presence on the court, especially without Isaiah Thomas, is still valuable. He’s the team’s only viable point guard, and without him on the floor, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are often relegated to point guard. With Rose on the floor, James and crew can play their normal spots.
Rose has also played well at times. During a two-game stretch between Washington and Indiana, he shot 17-for-29 while scoring 39 points. Those performances came during a rare stretch of continuity.
He’s been all right at times, but the overall return is underwhelming. Hopefully he picks up his play as he regains health and Thomas returns to the lineup.
Grade: C