Derrick Rose sees a bright and long-term future with the Bulls
Bulls guard Derrick Rose says he doesn't want to go anywhere.
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2 min read
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose told ESPN's Nick Friedell that he hasn't wavered on his desire to retire with the team that drafted him. Knee injuries have changed just about everything for Rose since winning MVP in 2011, but he still believes he can return to form and wants to win in Chicago.
Friedell: You told me a long time ago you never wanted to play anywhere else. Is that still true?
Rose: That's still true. Still true. Just having my son [P.J.], I'm doing all this because of my son now, you know? Just wanting to be around him every day, having him come up here, shoot with me or see me shooting til he's able to become a ball boy. Little things like that I think about long term. Just trying to get him groomed, trying to get him used to being in the environment.
Friedell: You want to retire here still.
Rose: For sure, for sure.
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Friedell: Do you think about what it would be like to have him with you celebrating in Grant Park after a title, riding with him in the parade?
Rose: Yeah, yeah. I'll go further than that. Do I want him living here after I'm done or at the end of my career? Do I want him living in Chicago? I want him to have a life where he don't have to worry about kids treating him a certain way because of who his dad is. If it was up to me I wouldn't want him to play basketball, but I just want him to have a regular life so that he's able to walk around and still be normal.
Rose reiterated that his goal is to be back in the MVP conversation, and he also called Jimmy Butler the most talented teammate he's ever had. This is good to hear if you're hoping that everything will work out for the Bulls, who have the makings of an elite team but have not exactly reached their potential.
It's still an open question whether Chicago can make the most out of Butler's emergence while Rose tries to find himself. In encouraging news: Rose has averaged 18.5 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 49.2 percent in the last four games. In not-so-encouraging news: the Bulls just lost by double digits to the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards, ending a six-game win streak, half of which was done without Rose in the lineup.
Rose's contract expires in the summer of 2017, and there will likely be speculation about his future until then. While the coaching staff and players are focused on finding consistency before the playoffs, the front office needs to be figuring out what the plan is with Rose. Ideally, he keeps improving and stays with the Bulls, contending for championships, but nothing has been ideal for him the past few years.
