Despite Bulls dismissal, Rose’s health still a factor in decision for free agents.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose reportedly went through a private workout on Tuesday in order to show free agent Carmelo Anthony that he’s healthy.
According to Basketball Insiders, Rose went through his paces at the United Center as part of the recruitment process for Anthony who was visiting the Windy City on Tuesday.
Chicago pulled out the stops for their priority this summer, changing signs around the UC showing Anthony in a Bulls jersey and with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
While the New York Knicks star is set to visit the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers in the coming days ahead of sitting down with the Knicks management, it is felt as though Chicago are the early favourites to secure his signature.
Nevertheless, it is reported that Rose’s health remains a concern for potential free agents, and given that the point guard is crucial to the Bulls’ success in the coming years, Anthony would have wanted to see whether or not he is capable of returning to compete at a high level next season.
Rose is understood to be ready to play games after going through another gruelling rehabilitation process, with the 25-year-old playing just 50 games in the past three seasons after back-to-back serious knee injuries.
However, he is expected to play in the FIBA World Cup in Spain at the end of August with the Bulls management confident that he will get back to his best on the court.
While that is still some time away, Anthony is said to have needed a preview and although there has been no word on how Rose looked, Chicago have insisted throughout the process that their point guard’s health would not deter free agents.
Sceptics still question whether or not Rose would have participated in such a move given his previous reluctance to even speak with free agents as he has insisted throughout his career that he would not try to sell the idea of playing with him in Chicago to potential new team-mates.
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