Even if Derrick Rose wants to return, is he worth the trouble?

After struggling with injuries and declining form in every season since 2011, Derrick Rose wasn't sure if he wanted to continue playing basketball.

On one hand, Rose had $80 million remaining on his Adidas deal and a chance to play a role for a Finals-bound franchise. On the other hand, having been broken spiritually and physically by the game, preserving his body and spending time with family didn't seem so bad.

Rose went into exile for weeks, before ultimately concluding that it was worth it to continue with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the question is, given his declining form and their success in his absence, is Rose worth it for the Cavs?

It's not a coincidence that the Cavaliers rattled off an 11-game win streak to right the ship right after Rose went down with an ankle injury.

He scored 14.3 points per game on middling efficiency, but it came at the expense of team play and defense. Rose had the second-highest usage rate on the team despite holding the seventh-best PER.

As a starting point guard that played 27 minutes a night, Rose averaged 1.7 assists and his team performed better with Rose off the floor. He also has more turnovers (19) than assists (12). Dwyane Wade has proven to be a much steadier option in his stead.

As for defense, the Cavaliers allowed an absurd 118.8 points per 100 possessions with Rose on the court, which was far and away the worst mark on the team. You know you're bad on defense when 36-year-old Jose Calderon is an upgrade.

This is now the third year in a row where his teams have performed better without Rose. The Chicago Bulls went for reset by trading Rose for Jerian Grant and signing Rajon Rondo and it produced a playoff appearance. As for the New York Knicks, they ditched Rose after one season in favor of signing 34-year-old Jarrett Jack who didn't even play in the league last season, and they're also on pace for the postseason.

Cleveland will be fine with or without Rose, but so far he has brought very little to the table aside from drama.

It's not immediately obvious where and how Rose fits within the Cavaliers' rotation going forward.

Cleveland is overstocked on ball handlers who prioritize offense over defense. LeBron James does most of the facilitating for the starting lineup, while Wade works as the backup. it took a while to reach this equilibrium, but under their veteran guidance, the Cavaliers have jumped into third in terms of offensive efficiency. Bringing Rose back into the fold could disrupt their rhythm.

Isaiah Thomas is also approaching his return from injury, and will undoubtedly command a starting spot after earning an All-NBA selection last season. Thomas was touted as the immediate replacement for Kyrie Irving, and while the team will presumably bring him along slowly, he will become the second-most prominent scorer on the team next to James.

That leaves very few opportunities for a player like Rose, who needs the ball in his hands to be effective. The Cavaliers lack low-usage defenders who can hit the occasional outside shot and move the ball, which are exactly the things that Rose struggles with.

Head coach Tyronn Lue will have a lot on his plate if he's trying to integrate both Rose and Thomas back into the lineup while drawing up new roles, yet again, for his muddled and crowded rotation.

All this begs the question: Is Rose even worth the trouble?

It's easy for teams to talk themselves into the best-case scenario with Rose, since some of his prodigal talent still shines through from time to time. He can still break down his man and get to the basket, his first step is still quick, he is only 29, and he still draws fans despite his declining performances.

If Rose were willing to fit his strengths within a team construct, if he could play any defense at all and pass up some contested layups for kickout passes to shooters, the Cavaliers could have a nice backup guard on their hands for the veteran's minimum.

That has to be worth a shot, right? Well, that depends on where his mind is at.

The sobering reality is that Rose is making the minimum for a reason. He's the classic case of a former star player who hasn't come to grips with his new reality, and is stubbornly trying to recapture his form while putting himself over the team itself. That's why it hasn't worked for him in recent years, even if his health has recovered to some degree. He isn't the same player anymore.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Rose has been doing "personal soul-searching" in the wake of various injuries and diminishing production. His future in the league will depend on what realization he has found.

If Rose accepts a diminished role, he could be an asset for the Cavaliers and earn a bigger contract down the line. Wade is the perfect example that an over-the-hill star can age gracefully when given the right role. Wade stays within himself, distributes to others, and is even defending at a respectable level. He doesn't pretend like he's still in his prime and tries to take over games.

Rose is six years younger than Wade, but given his injury history, they're ostensibly in the situation. There comes a point in every superstar's career where they are no longer so dominant that the game bends to their terms, and they need to be humble and take a lesser role.

That point came for Rose a long time ago.