Derrick Rose on Returning to Timberwolves Next Season: 'I Would Love to Be Back'

Derrick Rose wants to continue his NBA career next season and said Wednesday he hopes it's in Minnesota. 

"I would love to be back," Rose said, per Jace Frederick of the Pioneer Press. "Do I want to play again next year? Yeah. I think I'm far away from being done, but it's not up to me to take a chance on myself. I'm fully invested in myself; it's up to the organization, the front office and the coaching staff to see that I've still got a lot left." 

Rose signed with the Timberwolves in March after being waived by the Utah Jazz, who acquired him in a deadline deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's averaging 6.3 points and 1.4 assists per game in eight games with Minnesota.

Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau was with the Chicago Bulls when Rose won his MVP and has been complimentary of the oft-injured guard since his arrival. Thibodeau has made it a habit of collecting old Bulls on his roster, with Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Aaron Brooks also on the depth chart.

Rose's acquisition was criticized by some who saw it as unnecessary, especially with backup point guard Tyus Jones playing well off the bench for most of the season. Jones has maintained his spot in the rotation, though Rose has seen an increase in playing time of late.

Rose, who contemplated retirement during a nadir period with the Cavs, called the Timberwolves a "perfect environment."

"I'm in a perfect, perfect environment,” Rose said. "Normally, when I'm out there just playing, that's when I'm good. In the past, when I'm out there thinking or I'm not playing my game, that's when I tend to drift off. But being here, being around the guys, the attitude, the atmosphere is different, so it keeps everybody engaged."

Rose will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and is unlikely to garner all that much attention on the market. The Timberwolves remain a significantly worse team on both ends of the floor with him playing, and he's not been an effective NBA player in more than a half decade.

But Rose and Thibs seem to have an understanding, so it's likely he'll wind up back next season.