Derrick Rose told NBA reporters at media day that he reached out to Ja Morant and Tee Morant about possibly joining the Memphis Grizzlies. Rose, who played his college basketball at Memphis, signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Grizzlies.
Morant will miss the first 25 games of this season and the Grizzlies traded Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards in the offseason. Adding Rose gives the Grizzlies a proven veteran who can score, pass and mentor guys in the locker room.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Derrick Rose, Ja Morant, Tee Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The 34-year-old Rose signed a three-year, $43.6 million contract with the New York Knicks in August 2021. The three-time All-Star has only played in 53 games since signing that contract, averaging 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Rose appeared in 26 games in 2021-22 before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery and only 27 games last season. He was removed from the playing rotation in early December. Rose, who turns 35 in October, averaged a career-low 5.6 points in 2022-23.
During the 2010-11 season, Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history with his hometown Chicago Bulls. He averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists and led Chicago to the best record in the NBA. The Bulls made it to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.
Rose has career averages of 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists with the Bulls, Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. He has undergone four knee surgeries and two ankle surgeries since winning the MVP Award in 2011.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Derrick Rose, Ja Morant, Tee Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Morant will be mentored by Rose, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The Grizzlies also traded for Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics, giving Morant another veteran mentor.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
