Derrick Rose preferred to sign with Clippers or Spurs, but both teams passed up on him

Derrick Rose may have already signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a veterans minimum, but his new team was apparently not his first choice.

Derrick Rose may have already signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his new team was apparently not his first choice.

According to a piece made by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the former MVP was planning to bring his talents to the West and preferred signing with the L.A. Clippers or San Antonio Spurs. However, both teams passed up on the chance to sign him, which ultimately led him to sign with the reigning Eastern Conference champions.

“Rose tried hard to get top Western Conference teams to sign him — the San Antonio Spurs, the LA Clippers — but those teams passed. Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd had interest, but the Los Angeles Lakers and Cavaliers eventually made offers.”

Rose generated interest from the Bucks as well, and even had two meetings with them. Despite hearing their pitch, they never made him an offer, and only the Lakers and Cavs made one for him. He then signed with the team from Northeast Ohio, as he believes he has a better chance of winning with them. The 28-year-old commanded a salary between the $18-20 million range heading into the summer, but as free agency started to dry up, he still remained unsigned and settled for the veteran’s minimum instead.

Now with the Cavaliers, he has the chance to prove all his doubters wrong and show that he still has a lot of game left in his tank. It will also be an opportunity for him to remain healthy throughout a whole season, and finally put his injury woes all in the past. If he’ll be able to have a successful year, he could be in line for another big contract and sign a more lucrative deal.