Bulls may consider giving Rose a new position
There may come a time in the near future when it will make sense for the Bulls and Derrick Rose to part ways.
This isn't it.
From strictly a basketball perspective, an argument could be made that the Bulls would be better off with a different point guard. Rose didn't adapt well to the fast-paced offense introduced by coach Fred Hoiberg last season. Of course, it didn't help that Rose missed nearly all of training camp, which should have been his introduction to the new offense, after suffering a broken left orbital bone during the first practice last fall.
The problem with moving Rose now is his trade value, which figures to be minuscule, considering his injury history and the $21.3 million he's owed next season. Some teams might take on Rose in exchange for a player they're trying to get rid of, but that probably won't help the Bulls' cause.
Another mitigating factor is the progress Rose made last season. Injuries were still a frustration, but he played in 66 games, a nice step forward from 51, 10 and 0 in the previous three years.
After Christmas, once Rose's broken eye socket had a chance to heal, he averaged 18 points on 45.5 percent shooting. He had some moments when he took over in the fourth quarter of close games. He has come close to perfecting the running bank shot, which is tough for defenders to stop. He also cut way back on his 3-point attempts, from 5.3 per game in 2014-15 to 2.3 per game last season.
So it seems obvious the best plan is to ride it out with Rose for another season, hope he continues to stay relatively healthy, and picks up where he left off. Does Rose have a long-term future with the Bulls? That's impossible to say. How will he play next season? How much will it cost to keep him?
People talk about Rose's role as a team leader, but that's not really an issue. Rose isn't a natural leader and doesn't try to be one. There are probably times when teammates want him to toughen up or stop saying off-the-wall comments that make it seem like he's out for himself. The team's struggle for leadership was between Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah, not Butler and Rose.
Realistically, it will be difficult for the Bulls to improve on the Rose-Butler backcourt. If both players return, the next issue is finding a way to fit Rose into Hoiberg's system.
Some other numbers to consider are the Bulls' assists. Even while Rose played well after Christmas, he ranked third on the team in assists, behind Butler and Pau Gasol. If Hoiberg is trying to emphasize ball movement and fast pace, he doesn't need a point guard who is low on assists and pushes the tempo reluctantly.
A solution the Bulls are likely to try is moving Rose off the point. Butler or E'Twaun Moore could be the primary ballhandlers. Some of the Bulls' best offensive moments last season were with Noah playing point center. They figure to try more of that if Noah re-signs.
Rose could still do most everything he does now playing off the ball, and it might put him in better position to attack the basket. Playing off the ball would be an adjustment for Rose, but he should be up to the task. That is, as long as he's not injured during training camp when the Bulls are trying to figure out what works.
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