Derrick Rose Announces Definitive Plans for the Future

It was another injury-riddled campaign for guard Derrick Rose, but going into his age-36 season next year, the former NBA MVP vows to be back for another go at it next season with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Derrick Rose is NOT retiring

“I’m coming back.” 🔥

(Via @DamichaelC) pic.twitter.com/n73lmqrhNO

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2024

 “I’m coming back," insisted Rose to reporters on Monday, after playing just 24 games this past season due to back and groin problems, among other maladies. The 6'3" point guard still has one year remaining on his Grizzlies contract, at $3.3 million, and he fully intends to honor it and bring the veteran leadership that he was signed to bring to the young team.

Rose, of course, wasn't the only one to miss significant time for Memphis this past season, as his backcourt mate and resident team superstar Ja Morant was lost for the season in January after playing just 9 games coming back from a 25-game suspension to start the year for his repeated gun play on social media. 

Marcus Smart was another key victim of the Grizzlies' injury-devastated season, playing in just 20 games. 

This, of course, isn't the first time Rose has missed significant time to injuries. His career was completely derailed after his 2011 MVP season, when he tore his ACL in 2012, missed nearly two complete seasons, and was never able to recapture his dynamic athleticism that made him such a beloved and elite player at the start of his career. 

This year, he suffered an assortment of injuries, to his knee, ankle, hamstring, groin and back. 

Rose averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 assists while averaging 16.6 minutes in a backup role in the 24 games he managed to play. In 15 seasons, he carries career averages of 17.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest. 

Photo: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports