Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday, making him an intriguing free agent for the 2024-25 season. After playing a limited role in Memphis, the veteran point guard is now available for teams seeking leadership, playoff experience, and a reliable scoring option off the bench. With his potential to contribute to a contending team, several franchises could find themselves in the market for his services this offseason. The big question is—which of these teams will allow Rose to make one final push for an NBA championship?
Golden State Warriors
With Klay Thompson departing for the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, the Warriors find themselves in dire need of reinforcements around Stephen Curry. Derrick Rose could be an ideal fit, providing much-needed depth and a veteran presence in the backcourt. Rose’s ability to run the offense as a backup point guard would relieve pressure on Curry while maintaining the Warriors’ up-tempo style of play.
His experience and basketball IQ make him a plug-and-play option for Steve Kerr’s system, offering reliable minutes off the bench when Curry rests or in case of injuries. In a season where every addition counts, Rose could help stabilize a team looking to stay in contention despite losing a key piece like Thompson.
Rose’s scoring ability off the bench would be critical, particularly for a team that has struggled with consistency outside of their core stars. He would also bring a steady hand in late-game situations, something the Warriors lacked from their backup guard rotation last season. With the championship window narrowing, adding a seasoned veteran like Rose to support Curry could be the move that keeps Golden State firmly in the title conversation.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are always on the hunt for veteran talent to complement LeBron James, and Derrick Rose is a natural fit. With his wealth of playoff experience and leadership qualities, Rose can contribute valuable minutes off the bench behind D’Angelo Russell. His ability to score, facilitate, and control the pace of the game would bolster the Lakers’ second unit, allowing them to maintain a high level of play when their starters rest.
Rose also brings an added dimension of postseason poise, a factor that could prove vital as the Lakers aim for another deep playoff run. Reuniting with LeBron—after their brief stint together in Cleveland—could also reignite a productive partnership, with Rose providing a veteran spark off the bench.
Beyond his on-court contributions, Rose’s presence in the locker room could help guide a Lakers team that has struggled with consistency and injuries in recent years. As LeBron and Anthony Davis look to maximize their championship window, Rose’s versatility and playoff experience could be the missing ingredient in L.A.’s title chase.
Miami Heat
If there’s any team that values a player with focus, determination, and grit, it’s the Miami Heat. Derrick Rose embodies those qualities and would seamlessly fit into Miami’s famed “Heat Culture.” With the departure of Gabe Vincent last offseason, the Heat could use a steady, battle-tested guard who can provide stability, scoring, and leadership off the bench.
Rose’s professionalism, work ethic, and experience in high-pressure situations align with the values that Heat prides itself on, making him a natural fit under Erik Spoelstra’s leadership. The point guard’s ability to adapt to different roles—whether as a facilitator or a scorer—gives the Heat additional flexibility in their rotation.
He could thrive playing alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, helping relieve some of the offensive burden while adding playoff experience to the roster. For a team known for maximizing the potential of veteran players, Rose’s addition could be exactly what Miami needs to make another Finals run.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have already solidified their core with the superstar pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but the team still needs to strengthen its depth for another championship push. Derrick Rose would bring valuable reinforcement off the bench, providing scoring punch and playmaking ability for a team looking to stack its depth chart. Rose’s experience in the postseason could be a crucial asset in shoring up the Bucks’ second unit, offering stability behind Lillard in critical moments when they need to rest their stars.
For a Bucks team focused on winning now, Rose’s veteran leadership and ability to contribute immediately could prove invaluable. He’d offer an insurance policy for Milwaukee, both as a secondary ball-handler and a scoring option off the bench, allowing the Bucks to maintain their intensity and pace even when their primary stars are on the sidelines. Rose’s presence could also make a difference in the postseason, where depth and experience often make or break a championship run.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings made significant strides last season, finally returning to the playoffs after a 16-year drought. Adding DeMar DeRozan this summer signals their intent to keep building toward deeper postseason success. Derrick Rose would be another key veteran piece for a team hungry to advance past the first round. Rose’s experience and leadership could serve as a calming influence for a young Kings roster, providing much-needed playoff pedigree to a team still learning how to win in the postseason.
Rose’s ability to score in the half-court, facilitate for others, and offer a steady hand in crucial moments makes him an ideal addition to a Sacramento team that wants to build on its recent success. With the Kings aiming to push further into the playoffs, Rose’s veteran presence could be a game-changer, helping guide them through the growing pains that come with high-stakes basketball. Adding a seasoned player like Rose could be the difference in a Western Conference packed with talented teams.
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