DETROIT _ He's done what he set out to do, recapture his game, reclaim his status as an upper-tier point guard, revisit his youth. Derrick Rose has done more than almost anyone imagined when the Pistons signed him to a modest two-year contract.
He played his way into the All-Star conversation and recently topped 20 points in 14 consecutive games. Rose, 31, has been so effective, the question is: Did he play his way out of town by Thursday's trade deadline?
Rose makes it clear, he doesn't want to leave. And indications are, the Pistons have no urgency to deal him.
"I love it here, it's close to home (Chicago)," Rose said. "Of course, I wish we had more wins. I love the staff, I love the front office, I love being in Detroit."
His spirited determination _ as well as his team-high 18.5 scoring average _ has made him a fan favorite at Little Caesars Arena in another dismal season. Based on the Pistons' rebuild, it makes sense to move him. But he's been so good, on a team-friendly contract, it only makes sense if the Pistons get real value, a first-round pick or a young prospect from a contender that needs an experienced playmaker.
This will twist right up until the 3 p.m. Thursday deadline. In the latest murmurs, third-year guard Luke Kennard might be the one dealt, although he has missed 22 straight games with knee tendinitis. And the team still is seeking suitors for Andre Drummond or any of its veterans _ Markieff Morris, Langston Galloway, Tony Snell.
The Pistons are hoping for something big, but aren't selling from a position of strength. So they might have to settle for something small, or nothing at all. If they can't move Drummond, that would be a major blow, because they could get stuck with another year on his hefty contract.
It's not the same with Rose. For many players, a leap to a contender would be welcomed. Not for the well-traveled Rose, who made a pact, with himself and an old friend, that he'd like to keep.
