The Utah Jazz are set for training camp and preseason, so adding another player is, for the time being, out of the equation. However, it wouldn't surprise anyone if the Jazz open one of their roster spots. If they do, Derrick Rose would be an intriguing option to look into.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies will waive Rose before the start of training camp.
Just In: The Memphis Grizzlies are waiving former NBA MVP Derrick Rose, sources tell @TheAthletic. pic.twitter.com/VkLqZDYC3X
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 23, 2024
With Rose on the cusp of turning 36, there's a chance his NBA career is over at this point. Over the last three seasons, Rose has played 77 games combined, demonstrating that he is, sadly, still an injury risk.
However, there's also the possibility that Rose may give his career one last go before he gives up. Even though the Jazz don't have an open roster spot, if they open one or more up in the coming months - and there's a solid chance they might - Rose might be worth looking into.
Rose could teach Jazz players valuable habits
To be fair, the Jazz have added players with title experience, like Patty Mills and Svi Mykhailiuk. Rose does not have a championship to his name, but he has achieved a lot more than most players in the NBA have as a former MVP and three-time All-Star.
At the top of his game, Rose was among the most athletic point guards the NBA had ever seen. More than that, he had excellent body control, which made him nearly impossible to stop when he made his move.
He's not that player and hasn't been since Barack Obamas first term as president. However, he could teach the necessary habits for the Jazz's youth so they can become the players Utah hopes they will.
While Mills and Mykhailiuk can demonstrate what it takes to go far in the playoffs, Rose can teach them how to become the players the Jazz want them to be and potentially more because, even if his prime was cut short, Rose did live up to his potential.
Rose could be good depth in case the Jazz trade their guards
Because the Jazz are rebuilding, it's been floated for some time now that they are looking to trade Jordan Clarkson, and he might not be the only one. Collin Sexton could also hit the market, though he is considerably younger and could factor in the future.
If the Jazz trade one or both of those players, they may suddenly need more proven guard depth. They have some promising youngsters like Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier, who they will give a good look at, but the only truly proven guard on their roster outside of Clarkson and Sexton is Mills.
Rose is not what he was, but the Jazz would know that they're getting in him even if he's far from durable.
There's some irony to genuinely adding him to the team
Currently, Rose has the same reputation as Russell Westbrook in that the Jazz acquired him only for financial purposes and then moved to waive him.
To then add him with the intention of keeping him around would make for some funny irony. This of course is going off the assumption that Rose would still be available as the season progresses, and that's not guaranteed. Another team may scoop him up or he may retire, but, even if adding him sounds ridiculous, it's far from the worst move the Jazz could make.