On-again, off-again Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose is considering returning to the team, reports Jason Lloyd of The Athletic:
Derrick Rose wants to come back. Where he fits now remains to be seen. Rose has been in contact with Cavs GM Koby Altman in recent days and has expressed a desire to return, The Athletic has learned. The Cavs are expected to have an announcement regarding Rose on Sunday.
Rose could have been persuaded by his contract with Adidas; by quitting basketball, he would have violated his massive contract with the sneaker company, and left a lot of money on the table:
His shoe contract might have helped persuade him. Rose has earned about $220 million in salary and endorsements in his career, but ESPN reported he still has seven seasons left on his staggering 13-year, $185 million contract with Adidas he signed in 2012 and projected he could still have more than $80 million left on that deal. That’s a lot of money to forfeit regardless of how much he has already earned.
Rose left the Cavs on Nov. 24 to consider his future; ESPN reported that “He’s tired of being hurt, and it’s taking a toll on him mentally.”
Rose hasn’t played a game for the Cavs since Nov. 9. Since then, the team is 11-1, and has won its last 11 games. In light of the Cavs’ success without Rose, it’s a question whether or not the team will play Rose in a major role even if he does return; they’ve been much better with Jose Calderon as the starting point guard.
