If anyone remembers what prime Derrick Rose looked like, it's Minnesota Timberwolves president and head coach Tom Thibodeau, who partnered with Rose to lead the Chicago Bulls back to prominence six years ago.
So it's no surprise that according to ESPN's Ian Begley, Thibodeau's Timberwolves are among the teams who've reached out to the New York Knicks to discuss potential trades for Rose.
Though they sit 13 games under .500 (22-35), the Timberwolves trail the eighth-place Nuggets by only 3.5 games, keeping hope afloat that Minnesota can end a league-high, 13-year playoff drought.
Begley notes that it's not yet known what the Timberwolves might be offering in exchange for Rose, who will hit unrestricted free agency come July.
During the five seasons Rose played for Thibodeau in Chicago, the Bulls went 255-139, advancing to the Eastern Conference final after a 62-win season that netted Rose MVP honors in 2010-11.
Knee injuries have robbed Rose of some explosiveness and much of his effectiveness since then, but the 28-year-old is still averaging 17.7 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in his first season with the Knicks. Rose's true shooting percentage of 51.8, while far from impressive, also marks his best efficiency in five years, though it's worth noting that the veteran point guard is among the worst perimeter defenders in the league.
