To complete the roster remodel they worked out on trade deadline day, the Cleveland Cavaliers had to part with a number of players in various deals. One such player was guard and former Kia MVP Derrick Rose, who was shipped to the Utah Jazz as part of the three-team deal that sent Rodney Hood and George Hill to the Cavs.
Rose was waived two days later by Utah, but even before that, talk had circulated that Rose was more than likely going to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That has not happened and, according to Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is not planning to sign Rose (or anyone else) just yet:
On that same note, Taylor said the Wolves haven’t had any plans for point guard Derrick Rose joining the team now that the 2011 NBA MVP is a free agent.
“If we could find the right person to fit into our team and have some ability to play, get out there on the floor, we are certainly going to look at it,” Taylor said. “We kept one slot open all year long just in case that possibility occurred. But as of today we don’t have anybody in mind.”
Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau has familiarity with Rose, who he coached from 2010-15 with the Chicago Bulls. Under Thibodeau, Rose won his NBA MVP award during the 2010-11 season.
Taylor also commented on the status of disgruntled swingman Shabazz Muhammad, who reportedly let the team know earlier this month he wants out from the Wolves. Taylor is open to letting Muhammad out of his contract so he can sign with another team, provided he has a destination in mind, Taylor said:
“Shabazz hasn’t gotten out on the floor to play very much, so he’s disappointed,” Taylor said. “He would like to get with a team that he could put in more minutes and show his skill-set. We have given the OK that if he finds such a team he can go to and wants to walk away, [he can] get out of our contract.
“My goal is I wish he could get out there, he just hasn’t had the year he anticipated or that we anticipated. Because of that, and we’ve had so many close games, it’s hard for us to find the minutes for him. I still like him and think our fans like him. He has a different style of playing than anybody else. But on the other hand, if he can find another team that I think tells him he can get on the floor for sure, I think we’ll cooperate.”
Taylor said Muhammad would have to get the deal done through his agent because the Wolves can’t talk to other teams.
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