NBA Rumors: Derrick Rose ‘Leaning Toward’ Signing With Cavs

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose appears to be very close to agreeing to terms with a new team. After one season with the New York Knicks, Rose is apparently headed elsewhere with his next destination in the NBA likely being the Cleveland Cavaliers.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Rose is meeting with the Cavs on Monday:

Free-agent guard Derrick Rose is meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers officials in Ohio on Monday, league sources told ESPN.

Although Rose met with the Los Angeles Lakers last week, it appears the Cavs have the edge in terms of being able to sign Rose to a one-year deal, via Wojnarowski:

Rose met with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, but has been leaning toward the Cavaliers opportunity, league sources told ESPN.

As for the Cavs, the team was recently blindsided by point guard Kyrie Irving and his trade demand. Cleveland now has to find a viable replacement in a trade and or NBA free agency with Rose seemingly being an option that appeals to the Cavs brass.

There’s no question that Rose is no longer the MVP-caliber player he once was with the Chicago Bulls. The 28-year-old has been plagued by knee injuries throughout his career, and even though he had a bounce back year with the New York Knicks, he hasn’t had team’s vying for his services until now.

Cleveland may want to act fast with the Lakers looming and able to pay more than double for his services. The Cavs are reportedly offering the veteran minimum of $2.1 million while the Lakers are armed with the mid-level exception of $4.3 million.