According to Evan Massey of Sports Illustrated on Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies have decided to waive three-time All-Star point guard Derrick Rose of Chicago, Illinois. Rose, who was the first overall pick in the 2008 National Basketball Association Draft by the Chicago Bulls, has played 15 seasons in the NBA, and was with the Grizzlies in 2023-24.
Rose averaged eight points per game, 3.3 assists per game, and 1.9 rebounds per game, along with a field goal percentage of .461, three-point percentage of .366, and a free throw percentage of .889. However, he only played 24 games last season due to injuries to his knee, back and hamstring.
One reason why Rose was brought into Memphis was because of the legal issues surrounding Ja Morant. It is interesting that the Grizzlies waived Rose because Morant was not very healthy last season either. Morant tore his labrum in January and was out for the remainder of the NBA season.
Rose had a great start to his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. In 2008-09, he averaged 16.8 points per game, 6.3 assists per game, and 3.9 rebounds per game, in being named the NBA Rookie of the Year. Then in 2010-11, Rose was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, as he averaged a career high 25 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game. Rose was also a NBA All-Star for three straight seasons from 2010 to 2012.
In addition to playing for the Grizzlies, Rose played at the National Collegiate Athletic Association level with the University of Memphis. While with the Tigers, he was coached by famous college basketball coach John Calipari, who won a national title with the University of Kentucky in 2012.
