It was reported by numerous sources on Friday evening that former Memphis Tigers great Derrick Rose has signed a multi-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Begley’s reporting was subsequently confirmed by Shams Charania of Stadium and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Woj’s addition to the news makes the signing of another point guard to this roster make a bit more sense.
Rose, at 34 years old, is now the oldest member of the Memphis Grizzlies roster. And while he has only played in 53 games across the last two seasons and put up one of his worst shooting performances of his career in limited run last season, he brings with him a pedigree in Memphis that long-time fans will be thrilled to see with the Grizzlies and a career full of knowledge and experience that he can impart on this young roster.
And Shams followed up with the details of the money – a figure that does not inhibit future business for the Grizzlies as the luxury tax approaches.
Derrick Rose is not a forward or wing. He’s not a true big. He may not even be able to consistently be a strong contributor on a nightly basis anymore. But he’s insurance if something happens to Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, or Luke Kennard while Ja Morant is suspended. He is a veteran presence who, along with Marcus Smart, can mentor Morant – and in the case of Rose comes with a name that carries as far as any in Memphis that isn’t Penny Hardaway. And he is a reason to be energetic about the current state of play for the Grizzlies.
After months of shortcomings and bad breaks for both the team and fan base alike, a Memphis sports icon may get a chance to finish his professional career in the city where he became a college basketball legend. That may mean Marcus Smart is the “3”, or that the Grizzlies are counting on being undersized in multiple three guard lineups. They barring a trade will again be young in key positions on the perimeter. It might force Ziaire Williams or Jake LaRavia to do more than they’re able to do at this stage of their careers.
But there’ll be a time and place for that analysis. For now, Derrick Rose is coming home to Memphis. And given what Grizzlies fans have endured since March, that’s some more welcome good news.