Derrick Rose rumors: Phoenix Suns intriguing option for point guard in NBA free agency - 4 minutes read


Phoenix Suns NBA free agent point guard option

It seems as if every free agent point guard has been linked to the Phoenix Suns.

Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose is no exception.

As the NBA free agent market gets set to open Sunday, Rose's name has been mentioned in connection with the Suns and 2019 NBA free agency.

He averaged 18 points per game, 4.3 assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 51 games last season.

Rose, 30, played 27.3 minutes per game and shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

Could Phoenix be a landing spot for him?

He listed the Suns, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors as possible destinations for Rose.

Of the Suns, he wrote: "Having seen more time at the point guard spot with a career-high mark in assists, the organization appears to be running its franchise talent into the ground. Rose would certainly help take some of the load off and allow Booker to focus on what he does best rather than serving every need necessary just to remain competitive. Rose played some of his best basketball this past year, but he’s by no means a finished product. The last thing he may want to do is throw himself back into the national spotlight where pressure and expectations would almost assuredly weigh him down mentally. Phoenix is calm and quiet. The Suns are still a mess and will likely receive a high lottery pick once again next season. Rose can arrive, play significant minutes next to a talented young core to help support him and continue his rehabilitation in a low-pressure environment that will allow him to prove last year’s production was no fluke."

azcentral sports' Duane Rankin looked at the pros and cons of Rose on the Suns.

For the pros, he wrote: "He’s coming off his best season since leg injuries robbed him of his freakish athleticism. Rose averaged 18 points, shooting a career-best 37% from 3. Rose could serve as a good example in the Suns’ locker room and can create his own shot, something they could late in close games."

For the cons, he wrote: "Still injury-prone. Rose missed Minnesota’s last 15 games with an injured elbow. As much as he looked like the old D-Rose last season, his injuries are a major red flag."

Hoops Hype ranked Rose as the No. 6 free agent point guard on the market.

It wrote: "Almost out of nowhere, he had moments this year where he resembled his old self. Shot a career-best percentage from three, which helped him offset his drop in athleticism. Nagging injuries still a problem."

Clutch Points listed Rose as a potential fit with the Suns at point guard.

Justin Benton wrote: "Players like Ricky Rubio, Darren Collison, Derrick Rose, and Patrick Beverly could be potential fixes for the Suns that are both financially practical and would provide proven talent. Even if the outlook begins to quickly dim, players like Rajon Rondo, Cory Joseph, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Jeremy Lin could serve as a sufficient stopgap while also not clogging up their salary table."

James Herbert wrote: "I have no idea what to make of Rose's bounceback season, since so much of it was a direct result of an out-of-nowhere improvement in his 3-point shooting. In his first 48 games of the season, Rose attempted 3.4 3s a game and made 45.7 percent of them. In his final 17, he attempted a total of 30 3s and made one of them. One!"

Source: Azcentral.com

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