ESPN’s Brian Windhorst Says ‘The Derrick Rose Breakup With The Bulls Has Begun’

The Derrick Rose saga in Chicago continues. In addition to all the injuries that have hampered his career the past three seasons, there have been ongoing rumors about a disconnect between him and the Bulls’ rising star, Jimmy Butler. If that wasn’t enough, the former MVP is also mired in civil litigation stemming from rape allegations levied against him by a former girlfriend. All that turmoil has some thinking Rose’s days in the Windy City are numbered. Via ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst:

“I don’t know how long it’s going to last. I don’t know when it’s going to be complete, but you can sort of see it. The team and the franchise have moved on to a little bit of a certain extent. And while I’m one of the people that will pound the desk and say it is not Derrick Rose’s fault that he got hurt. The same with Kobe. These people who apply dislike to these guys…it’s not their fault. Maybe Kobe overdid it, but it’s not Derrick Rose’s fault that his knee got hurt. But his attitude has been…not terrific. The comments that he made about his contract in 2017. You want to talk about being tone deaf.”

It bears mentioning that this all appears to be pure speculation at this point. Windhorst didn’t cite any specific sources that claim his departure is imminent or even in the works. Still, he has a valid point about Rose’s waning support in his own hometown. The injuries have been exasperating on their own, but when you factor in all the off-the-court and behind-the-scenes stuff, it makes his future in Chicago that much more tenuous.

(Via ESPN.com)