In announcing Tuesday's signing of three-time All-Star Derrick Rose, new Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman admitted that the 2011 NBA MVP could have gone to a number of other teams.
But as Rose said in a statement, he chose the place where he could best compete for a championship.
The Cavs have been to the NBA Finals for three consecutive seasons and won the title in 2016.
Free-agent point guard Rose, 28, agreed to terms of a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of $2.1 million on Monday. Traded from the Chicago Bulls in June, 2016, Rose spent a tumultuous season with the New York Knicks, averaging 18 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 64 games while shooting .471 from the field, his best percentage since 2009-10.
"I have a single focus and purpose of wanting to play to win," Rose said in a statement. "Being part of a roster and organization that shares that type of commitment and being able to play with the Cavaliers and compete for a championship is the only thing that matters for me. I am very happy to be in Cleveland and look forward to getting to work."
In his eight-year career, Rose has averaged 19.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6 assists in 34.7 minutes through 470 games (469 starts). In 2010-11, he notched career highs in points (25) and rebounds (4.1), along with 7.7 assists while leading his hometown Bulls to a league-best 62-20 record.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2008, Rose also was named the 2009 rookie of the year to go along with All-Star selections in three consecutive seasons starting in 2010.
"We are very excited to be able to add a player of Derrick's caliber and experience to the team," Altman said in a statement. "Derrick could have gone to a number of other teams, but his specific mindset, goals and total focus and commitment to winning are what resulted in him signing with the Cavaliers. We are confident he will be a very good fit with our organization and we look forward to the many ways he will contribute to the team."
With a player he respects in LeBron James, Rose will try to jump-start his career after a string of knee injuries. That began in the 2012 playoffs, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Ten games into his return in 2013, he tore his right meniscus, which he re-tore in 2015. Last season Rose missed the final five games with a torn meniscus in his left knee that required arthroscopic surgery.
Rose also skipped a game in January without telling Knicks officials or teammates where he was going. But he averaged a career-high 10.1 points in the paint, second in the league for point guards behind the Raptors' DeMar DeRozan.
Rose is amenable to a starting or backup role, according to The Vertical. His signing could be key as Altman copes with four-time All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving's recent request to be traded.
The Cavs' acquisition of Rose means every winner of the league MVP award from 2009-16 is playing in Cleveland or for the Golden State Warriors. James earned the honor in 2009, '10, '12, and '13, while current Warriors Kevin Durant (2014) and Stephen Curry (2015, '16) followed.
