WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers confirmed Tuesday that free agent point guard Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player, had signed a one-year contract with the team.
The deal was widely reported on Monday, with multiple media outlets saying Rose had agreed to the veteran minimum salary of $2.1 million.
“We are very excited to be able to add a player of Derrick’s caliber and experience to the team,” newly named general manager Koby Altman said in a statement.
“Derrick could have gone to a number of other teams, but his specific mindset, goals and total focus and commitment to winning are what resulted in him signing with the Cavaliers.”
Rose met with Altman and other Cavs officials on Monday, just three days after meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The oft-injured guard passed medical exams with Cavs doctors, Cleveland.com reported.
“I have a single focus and purpose of wanting to play to win,” Rose said in a statement. “Being part of a roster and organization that shares that type of commitment and being able to play with the Cavaliers and compete for a championship is the only thing that matters for me.
“I am very happy to be in Cleveland and look forward to getting to work.”
Rose, 28, averaged 18 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 47 percent shooting from the field in 64 games for the New York Knicks last season.
He was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, but the 2016-17 season ended in another season-ending knee injury as Rose hit free agency for the first time.
Rose could be paired with LeBron James as a potential replacement for rising star Kyrie Irving, who asked the Cavaliers to trade him during a recent meeting with team owner Dan Gilbert.
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