Rose reportedly agrees 1-year deal with Cavs

AFP

For the moment, the Cavaliers have one content, proven point guard.

Free agent Derrick Rose agreed on Monday to sign with Cleveland, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Rose, a former NBA MVP who has struggled with knee injuries, will get a one-year contract at the veteran's minimum of US$2.1 million, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the agreement.

The deal is expected to be finalized and announced on Tuesday.

Rose played for the New York Knicks last season and averaged 18 points and 4.4 assists. The 28-year-old Rose's role with the Cavaliers is still to be determined. He could be used as a backup or even start depending on what the team does with All-Star Kyrie Irving, who recently asked for a trade.

Irving's demands have complicated things for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who were beaten by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. They'll certainly find interest in Irving, but it may be challenging to find comparable talent in return.

That's where Rose comes in. If healthy, Rose is a dynamic scorer capable of taking over a game, and paired with LeBron James, he could be even more dangerous.

Not long after reports surfaced of Rose's agreement, James posted a message on Twitter with five rose emojis followed by, "Let's Rock G!!"

Rose drew interest from other teams. He met with Cleveland's front office on Monday, when the team promoted Koby Altman to be its full-time general manger after he served as the interim GM since mid-June.

Rose just completed his eighth season since being drafted first overall by Chicago in 2008. He was named the league's MVP in 2011 while with the Bulls. Rose sat out the entire 2012-13 season following knee surgery.

Because the Cavaliers are so far over the salary cap, they could only offer Rose a one-year deal. But the possibility of playing alongside James, who can become a free agent next summer, and to contend for a title will offset any financial concerns for Rose.

The San Antonio Spurs, meanwhile, have signed Pau Gasol to a three-year contract.

The Spurs announced the signing on Monday. Gasol opted out of the two-year deal he signed last summer to give the Spurs more salary cap flexibility to supplement the roster in free agency. But he always intended to re-sign with San Antonio, where he averaged 12.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in just over 25 minutes per game last season.

Gasol played 64 games, filling a starting role and coming off the bench for a team that won 61 games and lost to Golden State in the Western Conference finals.

Gasol's help allowed the Spurs to add Rudy Gay and Brandon Paul in free agency.