The Memphis Grizzlies have decided to waive Derrick Rose, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. It remains to be seen if this will mark the end of Rose’s NBA career. Last summer, after the New York Knicks chose not to bring him back for a fourth season, Rose contemplated retirement, as noted by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. Instead, he returned to his college town of Memphis and expressed how much that opportunity meant to him.
According to Knicks insider Ian Begley, the Grizzlies released Rose from his contract and an update on his future can be expected in the coming week. If he does decide to retire after 18 seasons (one of which was lost due to injury), it would provide a poetic ending for his storied career.
Injuries prevented Rose from reaching his full potential and potentially becoming one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. At just 22 years old, he became the youngest MVP in league history. No other guard has matched the sheer athleticism that pre-injury Rose brought to the court.
Even after losing some of his athleticism due to injuries, Rose remained a valuable player and has spoken openly about finding his identity outside of basketball once he could no longer rely on physical abilities alone.
Whether he retires now or continues playing elsewhere for one final chapter, Derrick Rose will always be remembered as one of those “what could’ve been” cases not only in NBA history but also in all sports.
