Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee and likely miss the remainder of the season.
This will be Rose's third major knee injury in the last five years. In that span, the Bulls have gone 113-79 when he sits, according to ESPN Stats & Info. While that record is impressive and a source of optimism, Rose's injury could be devastating for Chicago, even in the weak Eastern Conference. No, Rose wasn't playing at his customary MVP level this season, but his absence will stretch the roster.
Kirk Hinrich is expected to assume the starting point guard duties with Aaron Brooks as the primary backup. Chicago could also sign an extra guard as they have an open roster spot. So what does Rose's injury mean for the Bulls both in the short and long-term?
"The real cost of Rose's injury to Chicago isn't knocking the team off its current pace, but instead preventing the Bulls from coming together for a stretch run," ESPN's Kevin Pelton wrote. "They'd started to show signs of that extra gear over the past 2½ weeks, going 6-1. During the past 10 games, Chicago's plus-5.9 point differential ranked tied for fourth in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Before Rose was sidelined, the Bulls were the healthiest they'd been all season, dealing only with illness to guard Kirk Hinrich and forward Taj Gibson.
"Tony Snell's emergence had given Chicago more depth on the wing. Coming back from last year's knee surgery and his previous ACL injury, Rose had struggled to score efficiently all season. The team's recent surge had little to do with his play, as Rose had shot just 18.0 percent from 3-point range over the past 10 games. Still, for the Bulls to ascend to the same level as the East-leading Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland [Cavaliers], which has won 17 of its past 19 games, they needed Rose operating at a high level."
Some NBA observers had mused that Rose's up-and-down play this year was a result of him taking it easy and waiting for the post-season to ramp it up a notch. As Pelton noted, a healthy and engaged Rose would have helped the Bulls climb the standings in the East. Now, they'll have to do that without their floor general. What's worse is that Rose's injury could have lasting consequences.
"the latest Rose setback could have some larger ramifications on the organization," ESPN's Nick Friedell wrote. "The tension surrounding Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls' front office remains at an all-time high. There is a widespread belief around the league that if Thibodeau and the Bulls don't make a deep run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, then the two sides may agree to part ways at the end of the season.
"Or they could seek a trade with another team to get compensation to allow Thibodeau out of the final two years of his contract. With Rose possibly out for the remainder of the season, it's hard to see the Bulls being able to make a deep run without their former MVP. With that in mind, if Rose does have to miss the remainder of the year, it would also likely mark the end of this particular championship window for this group. No matter what happens with Rose in the coming days, his uncertain health status continues to linger over everything the Bulls do. So does Thibodeau's uncertain status in Chicago."
The two years and $41.5 million remaining on Rose's contract is also a major issue for the Bulls. His deal could clog the team's salary cap sheet for the foreseeable future.
Rose may not have been playing up to expectations this season, but his injury will have far reaching consequences for the Chicago Bulls.
