Derrick Rose away from Cavs, evaluating future in NBA
— -- CLEVELAND --? Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose has left the team and is seriously re-evaluating his future in the NBA, league sources told ESPN.
There is growing uncertainty inside and outside the franchise about whether he will return to the team, league sources said.
Rose has missed 11 of the Cavs' 18 games this season, including the past seven because of a sprained left ankle. Rose's increasing frustration with injuries is causing him to question his desire to continue playing, league sources told ESPN.
One team source told ESPN of Rose: "He's tired of being hurt, and it's taking a toll on him mentally."
Rose has been noncommunicative to multiple people close to him inside and outside the Cavaliers in recent days, league sources said.
Since suffering a torn left ACL in the Chicago Bulls' opening game of the 2012 playoffs, Rose has been plagued with injuries, playing in just 237 out of a possible 412 regular-season games.
Rose was last with the Cavs for Monday's 116-88 win in Detroit, but he did not play in the game. According to a Cavaliers spokesman, his current absence from the team is excused.
Speaking before Cleveland played Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets, coach Tyronn Lue said the team expects Rose to be back, but would not provide a timetable.
"Take as long as he wants to take, and we wish him well and we want him back," Lue said.
Last season, Rose went missing from the New York Knicks on a game day without permission from the organization. He was fined by the Knicks and apologized to his teammates when he returned the next day.
"That was a family issue," Rose explained at the time. "For one, it had nothing to do with the team or basketball. But that's the first time I ever felt like that emotionally, and I had to be with my family."
A Cavs spokesman said Rose's current absence is different than the Knicks situation because he is not an active player and he communicated with the franchise at the outset of his leave.?
One week ago, Lue said that Rose would be out "at least" the next two weeks because of his ankle injury. Rose rolled the ankle Oct. 20 when he landed awkwardly following a flagrant foul from then- Milwaukee Bucks big man Greg Monroe.?
Cleveland put Rose in a walking boot last week in hopes of alleviating pressure on his left foot.
"Just a jacked-up ankle," Rose told ESPN at the time. "I'm just trying to figure it out, bro. Right now, it's just a jacked-up ankle. Just sore. I'm getting a lot of treatment for it, and tonight will be my first time wearing a boot. So I'll wear this, for I don't know how long, to see how it helps."
Rose, now 29, still has a lucrative sneaker deal with Adidas -- seven years and $80 million, according to ESPN's Nick DePaula. Adidas has produced eight signature shoes for Rose so far and is contractually obligated to continue to produce a signature shoe for the Chicago native as long as he is in the league. The contract is not fully guaranteed if Rose retires.
Rose, the 2011 league MVP, is averaging 14.3 points on 47 percent shooting (23.1 percent from 3), 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists this season. He signed a veterans minimum contract with the Cavs in the offseason.
