As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to search for a backup point guard, rumors surrounding veteran Derrick Rose continue to swirl. Rose was originally expected to choose between the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers this past weekend but chose to push his decision back.
It was reported that Rose’s meeting with the Lakers on Friday went well, but now Rose is set to meet with the Cavaliers to discuss a one-year minimum deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Free-agent guard Derrick Rose is meeting with Cleveland Cavaliers officials in Ohio on Monday, league sources told ESPN.
Rose has been engaged in serious discussions on a one-year, $2.1 million minimum deal with the Cavaliers.
Wojnarowski added that Rose has been leaning towards the Cavs over the Lakers and one reason could be that he prefers playing for a contender:
Rose met with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, but has been leaning toward the Cavaliers opportunity, league sources told ESPN […] Rose has been largely interested in finding a contender to help revitalize his market value, especially after a frustrating and dysfunctional 2016-17 season with the New York Knicks, league sources said.
Rose’s preference being the Cavaliers makes some sense as they are a perennial contender as long as LeBron James is there. The Lakers could offer Rose more money, but with Kyrie Irving apparently on his way out Cleveland could now potentially give Rose a bigger role.
If Rose does indeed go to Cleveland, the Lakers options for backcourt help would get even smaller. Former Warriors guard Ian Clark has been mentioned as a possibility as has retaining Tyler Ennis who played well for L.A down the stretch of last season. Magic Johnson has said the Lakers will fill out their roster within the next week so they will need to decide on someone soon or risk all of their best options choosing to go elsewhere.