Knicks' Rose more bothered by retirement talk than team-issued fine

New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose doesn't want anyone thinking his absence Monday to be with his family was an indication of how he views his future in the National Basketball Association.

Frankly, Rose would prefer if we dropped the subject of him reportedly contemplating early retirement altogether.

"That's something I don't even want to speak into existence by commenting on it," Rose said to the New York Post's Marc Berman on Wednesday. "I don't even know who would do that. Not at all. I was with my family."

The big takeaway from Rose not being with the Knicks for their outing against the New Orleans Pelicans earlier in the week was that he didn't inform his head coach or anyone within the organization that he wasn't going to be around. As punishment, management issued the former league Most Valuable Player a reported fine of $200,000, which is 1/110th of his $21-million salary for the 2016-17 campaign, per Berman.

Both parties appear to be back on the same page, though, with Rose apologizing for his error in judgement on Tuesday.

"The relationship I’m building with Phil (Jackson) and Steve (Mills), I wouldn’t mind asking if I needed it,” Rose said about whether he would have needed more than one day away from the Knicks. "I feel fine. What happened a couple days ago was in the past."

Related - Rose: I wouldn't be playing if I didn't feel right

Rose returned to the starting lineup at Wells Fargo Center in a 98-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, playing 31 minutes and scoring 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting. He also contributed two rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

Entering unrestricted free agency this summer, the 28-year-old is reportedly looking to sign a max contract that could pay him upwards of $150 million, whether that be in the Big Apple or elsewhere.