Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose says his individual goal for this season is to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.

In seven games off the bench for Minnesota this year, Rose is averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 38.5 percent from the field, 26.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line.

“Coming off the bench now, when I was younger, I stated I wanted to win the MVP,” Rose told Dennis Scott of NBA TV. “This year, coming off the bench, my goal is to win Sixth Man of the Year. Me coming off the bench, I feel like I could win that award.”

As of right now, Derrick Rose ranks ninth in the NBA in points per game off the bench and fourth in assists per game. Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams won the Sixth Man of the Year award last season. Williams averaged 22.6 points per game off the Clippers’ bench, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from beyond the arc. He scored 35 or more points as a reserve six times, tied for the most such games in a season since the NBA began recording starts in 1970-71.

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For Derrick Rose to win this award, he will not only have to increase his scoring average, but will have to be more efficient on offense. The former MVP isn't shooting 40 percent from the field yet. Scoring is one thing, but if you're taking a lot of shots to get those baskets, that won't help your cause.

Assuming the Timberwolves eventually trade disgruntled star Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose's minutes and role could change. Butler sat out one game this year for precautionary rest and Rose got more minutes as a result. The 30-year-old Chicago native scored 28 points against the Dallas Mavericks in 32 minutes of action while shooting 52.4 percent overall. It's those types of performances Rose will need to produce if he wants to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.