Monday's NBA: Derrick Rose reportedly signs with Cavaliers
Cleveland — For the moment, the Cavaliers have one content, proven point guard.
Free agent Derrick Rose agreed Monday to sign with Cleveland, according to the Associated Press and other media outlets. Rose, a former NBA MVP who has battled knee injuries, will get a one-year contract at the veteran’s minimum of $2.1 million, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the agreement.
The deal is expected to be finalized and announced Tuesday.
Rose played for the New York Knicks last season and averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists. The 28-year-old’s role with the Cavs is still to be determined. He could be used as a backup or even start depending on what the team does with All-Star Kyrie Irving, who recently asked for a trade.
Irving’s demands have complicated things for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who were beaten by Golden State in the Finals. They’ll certainly find interest in Irving, but it may be challenging to find comparable talent in return.
That’s where Rose comes in. If healthy, Rose is a dynamic scorer capable of taking over a game, and paired with LeBron James, he could be even more dangerous.
Not long after reports surfaced of Rose’s agreement, James posted a message on Twitter with five rose emojis followed by, “Let’s Rock G!!”
Rose drew interest from other teams. He met with Cleveland’s front office on Monday, when the team promoted Koby Altman to be its full-time general manger after he served as the interim GM since mid-June.
Rose just completed his eighth since being drafted first overall by Chicago in 2008. He was named the league’s MVP in 2011 while with the Bulls. Rose sat out the entire 2012-13 season following knee surgery.
The possibility of playing alongside James, who can become a free agent next summer, and to contend for a title will offset any financial concerns for Rose.
Pistons sign Montero
The Pistons signed guard/forward Luis Montero to a two-way contract on Monday.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Montero (6-7, 190 pounds) will play primarily for the Pistons’ G League affiliate Grand Rapids Drive, but as a two-way player he can also spend up to 45 days with the Pistons.
Montero, 24, played 49 games last season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Reno Bighorns of the G League. In 36 games with Sioux Falls he averaged 8.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 24.4 minutes. He was traded to Reno in March and averaged 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 13 games.
Montero played college basketball at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, N.Y., in 2013-14.
He played 12 games for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2015-16 and played for the Sacramento Kings’ summer league team this year.
Irvin off to Italy
Zak Irvin will have to brush up on his Italian.
On Monday, the former Michigan forward signed a deal with VL Pesaro and will head overseas to play professionally in the Italian Serie A next season. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Irvin averaged 13 points (45.3 percent shooting), 4.5 rebounds and three assists in 38 games last season with the Wolverines.
For his four-year career with Michigan, he averaged 11.3 points (42.3 percent shooting), 3.7 rebounds and two assists in 142 games.
Irvin played with the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League but struggled.
He averaged 3.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 25 minutes in five games at Orlando, and two points, three rebounds and 14.2 minutes in five games at Las Vegas.
Pesaro finished 15th out of 16 teams in Italy's top league last season with a 10-20 record.