The Chicago Bulls could be without superstar Derrick Rose for the remainder of the season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. Chicago will need to add another point guard, with free agents Nate Robinson and Will Bynum likely being the top two candidates.
Chicago announced Tuesday night Rose would undergo surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his right knee. The team's release indicated Rose reported Tuesday with pain in his right knee, and a subsequent MRI confirmed a medial meniscus tear.
It's unclear when or how Rose suffered the injury. He looked close to his former MVP form in the games leading up to the All-Star break, but his numbers have been down since the team's first game back on Friday. He played for 33 minutes Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, shooting 1-for-13 from the field and finishing with eight points.
While Chicago hasn't ruled out Rose returning this season, the meniscus tear in his right knee is the same injury that ended his season last year.
With Rose likely sidelined for the season, Chicago will need to sign a serviceable point guard. The obvious choice is Robinson, who has familiarity with the team and knows coach Tom Thibodeau's system. He became a free agent in January after the Denver Nuggets traded him to the Boston Celtics, who then bought out his contract two days later.
It's uncertain whether the team has contacted him yet, but at least one report indicated Robinson would be interested in returning to Chicago.
If a Robinson deal weren't to happen, another possibility is Bynum. The ex-Detroit Pistons is a veteran who can provide meaningful minutes, but he won't be available until after his season in the Chinese Basketball Association concludes. His team, the Guangdong Southern Tigers, play Wednesday in the CBA semifinals.
