Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose is away from the team and contemplating his basketball future, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin. Rose, who hasn't played since Nov. 7 due to a lingering ankle injury, has reportedly been away from the team since Monday with permission from the Cavs.
"He's tired of being hurt and it's taking a toll on him mentally," a team source told ESPN.
Back in January, as a member of the New York Knicks, Rose mysteriously disappeared and did not show up to the team's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He later explained that it was a "family issue" and had nothing to do with basketball.
The 29-year-old joined the Cavs this summer after an injury-riddled career but has played only seven games with the team due to an ankle injury suffered during the team's Oct. 20 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He returned for five games before being sidelined once again, and a week ago Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Rose would be out for at least two more weeks.
Rose hasn't played more than 66 games in a season since his NBA MVP campaign in 2010-11 due to various injuries, and his first and only season with the Knicks was ended by a torn meniscus in April.
Rose has averaged 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for Cleveland this season.
