Former MVP Derrick Rose has signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team announced today. The news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who says that Rose is signed with the Wolves for the remainder of the season.
The move reunites Rose with former Bulls teammates Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler as well as coach Tom Thibodeau.
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Rose and his wife welcomed a new baby earlier this week and Rose held off on signing with the Wolves until after the baby arrived.
After Thursday’s shootaround, Rose told reporters he is ready to play tonight against Boston, but is deferring on that decision to Thibodeau. As to whether or not Thibodeau is the best coach for him at this stage of his career, Rose said: “Who knows? So far he has been the best coach, but I still think I got a lot left. Who knows if he can spark something up…I don’t have to prove anything. I’m going to let my hard work do that.
“I’m wholeheartedly invested, even though I just got here. I just want to have the opportunity to show I can still play.”
Rose was waived by the Utah Jazz on Feb. 10 after the team acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 8. Since Rose was waived before March 1, he is eligible to join the Timberwolves’ playoff roster.
Thibodeau coached Rose in Chicago from 2010-15 and Rose’s best season came in 2010-11, when he became the youngest player to win the NBA MVP award. That season, Rose averaged 25.0 points and 7.7 assists while leading the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the NBA and the Eastern Conference finals.
Rose averaged 9.8 points and 1.6 assists on 43.9 percent shooting in 16 games with the Cavaliers this season.
