Derrick Rose is someone that any team would love to hold on to. In this case, the Chicago Bulls would surely match any outrageous offer thrown their way if it was aimed at the former NBA Most Valuable Player.
This would be the imminent scenario if Rose had remained 100%. But as many probably know by now, the former MVP has undergone three knee surgeries which evidently puts his ability to stay healthy a big question mark.
Though Rose could return by the time the NBA playoffs come around, concern regarding his sturdiness has become a factor. Rose has not been able to complete an NBA season injury-free and such has become a stumbling block to see the high flying guard get his act together.
For the Bulls, rumors have it that the team would trade him if there were any interested teams who would be daring enough to sign up the injury-prone guard. But that may seem far from happening for now considering that Rose carries a fat contract.
Rose is owed more than $20 million next season and $21.3 million in 2016-17.
With a ton of current and upcoming free agents set to hit the market after this NBA season, teams would think twice about relieving the Bulls of Rose's contract. Acquiring Rose would mean eating up the available salary cap space rebuilding teams such as the Lakers or the Celtics have right now and certainly, the story would have been different if Rose's health was not in question.
So hearing about the Bulls open to trading Rose is not something that should be surprising. Rose had his best moments before that forgettable knee injury he suffered during the 2011-12 season. Everything had been downhill from there and each time Rose would be close to 100%, a discouraging setback (concerning his knees) comes up.
That scenario alone becomes a red flag for teams in need of a player with Rose's caliber but the health risk is certainly something that negates such interest.
So will the Bulls trade him? It could happen if any team would be willing to take the risk. But as it stands now, there are no takers.
