The Detroit Pistons are practically out of the NBA playoff race and are merely going through the motions of playing out this season. At this point, it may be advisable to rest their top stars as they prepare to regroup this summer. That includes Derrick Rose who suffered an ankle injury recently.
Each time Rose goes down with an injury, the NBA world holds its breath. Most know his history and why this is one reason the former NBA MVP has struggled to complete a season. The good news is that he underwent an MRI and results turned out negative. According to ESPN, Rose will miss at least two weeks with the Grade 2 ankle sprain. But the question is should he return at all?
If there is one person who can decide on that, it would be head coach Dwane Casey. The Pistons head coach seems to agree that Rose has barely anything to gain if he returns in the last weeks of the NBA season. However, he also said that it will all depend on how Rose feels after undergoing treatment and rehab, Pistons Beat Writer Rod Beard reported. They have not yet decided on what the next step would be, meaning there is a chance that D-Rose will still play before the Pistons' campaign ends.
Instead, it could be the best time for the Pistons to give other players a chance to show their wares. Brandon Knight, Reggie Jackson, and Luke Kennard could step up with their performances possibly a basis on what Detroit needs to do in the summer. If not among the current crop, the Pistons could even explore the free-agent market. They have an open roster spot and could take a page out of the Golden State Warriors ploy. They could try out players by handing them a 10-day contract and see who fits into their plans.
“Hopefully get an opportunity to play the young kids at some point, see what they can do. But hopefully, Brandon can go tomorrow night and Bruce practiced today and we’ll see if he can go tomorrow night and how he feels after today,” Casey said via NBA.com.
For Rose, it remains that it would be best not to rush back to action. The chances of him getting re-injured or suffering a new one are high. Rose has already rejuvenated his career this season and those efforts would go for naught if he suffers another setback at this point. It may be best for him to save his strength and come back strong for the 2020-21 NBA wars.
