Ranking 12 Phoenix Suns free agent targets with ties to Kevin Durant
By Tyler Watts
8. Derrick Rose
D-Rose and KD have not linked up during their NBA careers, but they were teammates at the 2010 World Cup. Team USA played a two-point game against Brazil in the group stage, but dominated the knockout portion to bring home the gold medal. Durant scored 22.8 points per game during the competition, which made him the event’s third-leading scorer.
Rose and KD both made their first NBA All-Star teams in 2010, and they were unquestionably two of the brightest stars in basketball. D-Rose would win NBA MVP the following season, but a torn ACL in 2012 forever altered the 6’3 guard’s career.
Rose was far from done when he came back, but he did not have the same burst and ability to get to the rim. He still had plenty of productive seasons, but he was not an All-Star or All-NBA figure like he was in his early days.
The 34-year-old has a $15.6 million team option for next season, but he slipped out of the Knicks rotation this season. It appears Derrick Rose will have to move on if he wants to continue playing, but where does he end up? Reuniting with KD in Phoenix to be the Suns’ backup point guard could be intriguing for the legend.