Timberwolves sign Derrick Rose with 16 games left in season

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing point guard Derrick Rose for the final 16 games of the regular season. The signing adds yet another Chicago Bulls carryover for Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Rose has been plagued by injuries in his career, but had his best season in 2010-11 with Thibodeau and the Bulls. That season, he became the youngest player to win the NBA’s MVP award after averaging 25.0 points and 7.7 assists in leading Chicago to the best record in the NBA and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Adding Rose gives Minnesota a veteran point guard and bench scorer with playoff experience behind Jeff Teague heading into the playoffs. The Timberwolves haven't made the playoffs in 13 seasons, which is the longest drought of any NBA team.

“I’m a veteran, it’s my tenth year. It’s all about supporting the guys,” Rose said. “I could sit here and tell you I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that, but those are just words. I want to show you with my actions.”

Rose appeared in 16 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, averaging 9.8 points, 1.8 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game. He was traded to Utah in a three-team deal on Feb. 8 before being waived by the Jazz on Feb. 10.

Rose has career averages of 19.2 points and 5.8 assists in 486 games over nine seasons.