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Do Not Fret, Derrick Rose Is Not Going Anywhere Soon

By Ernest Shepard
Published on: 05:40 PST, Nov 7, 2015

Derrick Rose may wind up playing for another team besides the Chicago Bulls. That is a harsh reality for the contingent of fans that root for him must accept.

On Wednesday, ESPN NBA columnist Brian Windhorst declared that the breakup between Derrick Rose and the Bulls have begun. Windhorst made his claim during his appearance on ESPN’s “Russilo and Kanell” show. He would go on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” show the next morning to clarify his comments.

Windhorst would go on to say that his comments about the breakup was his opinion, not from anything factual. He did suggest that after talking to several NBA executives, he drew that conclusion about Rose.

“After I said that on ‘Russillo & Kanell,’ I think there was this belief that there was an issue with [Fred] Hoiberg or the front office. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying from where I sit—and its not just me, it’s other executives in the league who are watching this—they question whether this is going to last.”

Windhorst’s comments would create a sandstorm throughout the NBA. Everywhere from talk shows to fans, there was some dialog regarding Derrick Rose and the possibility of him parting ways with the Bulls. Just because there is a suggestion that Rose may leave, that does not mean it will actually happen.

Derrick Rose could flee from the Bulls, but the former NBA Most Valuable Player award winner could also stay with his hometown team.

Who knows what the future holds. There are still 20 months to go before anyone will know anything. In other words, nobody should freak out about the prospects of Rose leaving the Bulls at least until then.

It will not be until July of 2017 before Derrick Rose can even entertain moving on to another team. The Bulls cannot and will not trade away the local product who played his high school basketball for Simeon High School in Chicago.

One, the money that is owed on Derrick Rose’s contract is $40 million. No team will trade for him given his medical history. Secondly, the Bulls know what he means to the city.

Despite becoming a polarizing figure for some of his off the cuff statements, Derrick Rose is, and has been, the face of the Chicago basketball scene for over a decade. Him playing for the Bulls means a lot. Rose knows this. The Bulls know this also. If there is any acrimony brewing, there is plenty of time to mend fences. 20 months to be exact.

Derrick Rose and the Bulls can sort out any differences they have. It is better for all if both parties can do that. Many of those problems arrived because the point guard cannot stay healthy. Neither of the injuries Rose has dealt with are his fault. The financial investment the Bulls made in him may have generated some ill will. What we do not know is how much of the problems are true.

The Bulls have not said anything negative on the record about Derrick Rose. The only outward critique Rose had about the Bulls came from his older brother and manager, Reggie Rose. His comments to ESPN Chicago about the team not giving Derrick enough help sparked a miniature controversy two years ago. The older Rose was looking out for Derrick’s best interest, though his words were ill-timed with. Derrick Rose was recovering from a torn ACL at the time. It was a debate going about his return to the lineup. Bulls’ team doctors had cleared him to return to practice by then. Some hard feelings developed afterwards.

Many NBA observers echoed Reggie Rose’s words. It was their belief that the Bulls needed to acquire help for their point guard. Reggie Rose has remained quiet as of late.

Winning is needed to keep all sides quiet. If the Bulls win, it provides an adhesive for everything that was damaged. On the Thursday night after Brian Windhorst’s statement, Derrick Rose made a statement of his own. The embattled point guard scored 29 points in a Bulls 104-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Before the game against the Thunder, Rose had struggled in his previous four games. He failed to score in double-digits in either contest. That sparked whispers about the prospects of his best days being behind him.

When talking to TNT’s Craig Sager, Derrick Rose told him that “he knows who he is”. What he also knows is that the marriage between him and the Chicago Bulls can end in 20 months. Winning will extend that time frame and all would become normal again.

[Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Sport]

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