Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose and new head coach Ryan Saunders have talked about managing the former MVP's minutes better moving forward so Rose can be healthy and fresh for the team later in the year.

Ex-coach Tom Thibodeau had a tendency to play Rose heavy minutes, and it led to a lot of nagging injuries. Rose has missed the previous six games due to a right ankle sprain, but he is expected to play on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Derrick Rose is averaging 29.8 minutes per game this season. That's fifth on the team. Now that starting point guard Jeff Teague is back from his left ankle ailment, a 25-30 minute range for D-Rose would be a good number.

Rose is having an All-Star-caliber year for the Timberwolves. The Chicago native is averaging 18.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game and shooting 48.6 percent from the floor, 46.2 percent from beyond the arc and 83.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Rose is second on the team in points per game and usage rate, trailing All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns in both categories.

Ryan Saunders told local reporters on Thursday he is leaning towards using a 10-man rotation once Derrick Rose returns to the lineup. We'll see how Saunders utilizes Rose and the rest of the roster on Friday against the Mavs.