When the Memphis Grizzlies opted to sign veteran Derrick Rose and bring him back to his old collegiate stomping grounds this past summer, many viewed it as a great way for the club to bring in some veteran leadership and proven on-court experience.
Fast forward to early March, however, and we find that while the feel-good story of the guard returning to Memphis is still in effect, the impact he was hoped to bring to the franchise has fallen rather short compared to expectations.
From his injury woes continuing to be an issue to his lack of production even when coming across playing time, there's currently discussion among fans and media pundits about whether Rose is someone worth keeping for the entirety of his two-year contract and, with the impending return of Scotty Pippen Jr., Grizzlies beat reporter Damichael Cole recently suggested that the veteran could realistically be an expendable commodity during the coming offseason.
Derrick Rose argued as being an expendable commodity for Grizzlies
"If Scotty Pippen Jr. continues to score the basketball really well, continues to facilitate the way he did when he comes back that makes Derrick Rose expendable in my opinion. "Damichael Cole
😂 @spippenjr pic.twitter.com/2R7T1q5ys1
— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) February 9, 2024
Prior to going down with a back injury in early February, Pippen had found himself coming into his own with the Grizzlies, posting averages of 10.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from deep.
His brand of production was so impressive, in fact, that coach Taylor Jenkins even thrust the guard into the starting rotation in half of his games played.
Considering the way Memphis' depth chart is currently constructed, should the team wish to convert Pippen's two-way deal into a standard contract this coming summer they'll need to create some space by parting ways with a player or two.
In Cole's eyes, this puts Rose in danger of being parted with in the not-too-distant future and, when taking his questionable health and inconsistent play into account, such a concept shouldn't be all that shocking.