Cleveland Cavaliers' Derrick Rose steps away from team as he evaluates future in basketball
Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose, sidelined since Nov. 7 with a sprained ankle, is currently away from the team as he evaluates his future in basketball, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin.
Rose has been non-communicative to multiple people close to him inside and outside of the Cavaliers in recent days, league sources said, and there is growing uncertainty about whether he will return to the team.
Rose has not been with the team for the better part of a week, sources told ESPN, and it is unclear when the 2011 league MVP will return. Rose has missed 11 of the Cavs’ 18 games this season, including the last seven because of a sprained left ankle.
A source told Wojnarowski that Rose is “tired of being hurt, and it’s taking a toll on him mentally.”
The team did not offer any other details about Rose’s absence, but coach Tyronn Lue said Rose should take all the time he needs.
“We wish him well and we want him back,” Lue said.
Rose’s agent, B.J. Armstrong, did not immediately return messages from the Associated Press seeking comment.
Rose’s injury history is extensive, and his inability to remain on the court has derailed a career that was once so promising. After winning the MVP award in 2011, Rose appeared in an average of just 46 games over the next five seasons, missing 262 games since the ’11-12 season.
Rose has appeared in seven games this season, averaging 14.3 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 47 percent in 26.9 minutes.
The 29-year-old had been excited about a new start with Cleveland after spending last season with the Knicks. He signed a one-year, $2.1 million free agent contract this summer with the Cavs and was expected to be the team’s backup point guard behind Isaiah Thomas.
Tom Withers of the Associated Press contributed to this report
