2019 NBA free agency: 5 potential landing spots for Derrick Rose

4. Indiana Pacers

Among the many free agent issues the Indiana Pacers will have to deal with come June 30 is the addressing of their point guard position. Darren Collison and Cory Joseph will hit the market this summer, and while both proved admirable in their efforts with the team, there is certainly room for an upgrade.

Reports have already linked the Pacers to another point guard, Ricky Rubio. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Spanish floor general will be a top priority for them once free agency begins. Assuming the two sides come to an agreement, this would leave little room for Rose to start for Indiana, but he could still prove valuable off the pine.

The Pacers had the ninth-highest scoring bench last season, but with five major rotation pieces set to hit the open market, there’s no telling what the second unit is going to look like by the start of next season.

Rose seemed to really thrive coming off the bench in Minnesota. The starting point guard has to run the offense and make sure everyone is involved and engaged. Coming off the bench provides more freedom in allowing him to play a preferred style. For Rose, that means attacking the basket, filling up the boxscore and then heading back to take a rest.

Especially with All-Star guard Victor Oladipo likely out until around December or January, Rose will get plenty of chances to contribute on a nightly basis. If Domantas Sabonis continues to come off the bench, the two would form a terrifying duo that could help Indiana improve over its surprising last two seasons of success.