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Derrick Rose will be a free agent this summer for the first time in his NBA career, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as a team that views him as a potential free-agent target, according to a report from ESPN. 

Rose spent last season with the New York Knicks after being traded by the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks, who finished 31-51 last season, traded Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant to Chicago in exchange for Justin Holiday, Rose and a 2017 second-round pick in the blockbuster deal.

Options for Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP winner, could be limited because of his health history. He is coming off a meniscus tear in his left knee that required surgery and ended his season early, and he has a rather lengthy history of knee injuries that could throw a red flag up for teams looking to acquire him. Rose has not played in more than 70 games in a season since 2010-2011, and questions about his durability are well-warranted.

Minnesota has an intriguing young core of young talent, centered around former No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. The backcourt, however, is relatively unproven, which could open up a spot for the 28-year-old former MVP. Outside of veteran Ricky Rubio, the team has a young duo of former first-rounders in Tyus Jones and Kris Dunn, the latter of which was the No. 5 pick in 2016.

Familiarity in leadership could also be a factor in Rose's decision (and Minnesota's choice on whether to pursue him). Rose was with the Bulls from 2008-2016, and was coached by Tom Thibodeau from 2010-2015, who is now the head coach at Minnesota.

Last season, Rose averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 64 games for the Knicks.