Reports that surfaced from several NBA insiders on Friday, November 24, confirm that Derrick Rose has taken a leave of absence from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is contemplating his future as a player in the league.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin are among several of the sources to first report that Rose has not been with the team since Monday night's game against Detroit, and has been excused from basketball activities for the present time. Word has reportedly been going around that the 29-year-old point guard has become jaded by his battle through injuries and may select go the route of an early retirement. "He's tired of being hurt, and it's taking a toll on him mentally," ESPN reported one unnamed source as telling the network.
Rose, who joined the Cavs on a one-year $2.1 million contract this off-season, has been sidelined by an ankle injury he acquired on November 7. He has missed 11 of the 18 games the team has played thus far, which is consistent with an injury-prone career pattern that has seen him only suit up for 237 of the 412 regular-season games he's been on an NBA roster for throughout his career.
Should Rose walk away from the game of basketball he would forfeit some $70 million he still stands to make from the 13-year, $185 million endorsement deal he struck with Adidas in 2012.
