Derrick Rose's brother blasts Bulls for inactivity at trade deadline
Derrick Rose has begun 5-on-5 drills, but there's still no timetable for his return. (Rick Bowmer/AP)
The Bulls' inactivity at the trade deadline didn't sit well with Derrick Rose's brother and manager.
Reggie Rose, in an interview with ESPNChicago.com on Thursday, criticized the Bulls for not being more active in improving the roster around a core of his younger brother and All-Stars Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.
"What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami," Reggie Rose told ESPNChicago.com. "What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs?
"Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that. You have to put together pieces to your main piece. The players can only do so much. It's up to the organization to make them better."
Derrick Rose has not played this season as he continues his recovery from ACL surgery. He participated in his first 5-on-5 drills of the season on Monday, but his return remains uncertain. On Feb. 13, Rose told reporters that he would love to play this year but that he wouldn't mind missing the season if he's not feeling healthy.
Reggie Rose told ESPNChicago.com that the Bulls haven't mentioned the possibility of a full-season absence because of the potential effect on ticket sales.
"Everyone is expecting Derrick to come back," Reggie Rose said. "If Derrick comes back, they're going to sell more tickets. Is the reason for Derrick to come back to win a championship or make money? Right now, I don't believe a championship. Everything in the NBA is financial."
Later Thursday, Derrick Rose reportedly met with Bulls vice president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman. The 2011 MVP then released a short statement through the team: "I have always felt that the Bulls organization's goals have been the same as mine and that is to bring another championship to this city."
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau downplayed Reggie Rose's comments, according to ESPNChicago.com.
"To me it's not a big deal," Thibodeau said. "We all want the same things. We want Derrick's health ... and obviously, we're trying to pursue winning a championship. We share that in common. That's his [Reggie Rose's] opinion. He speaks for himself, not a big deal."
The Bulls are set to pay the luxury tax this season for the first time in franchise history. Their payroll of $73.55 million is $3.2 million above the $70.31 million luxury-tax threshold. Derrick Rose ($16.4 million salary), Carlos Boozer ($15 million), Deng ($13.3 million) and Noah ($11.3 million) combine to make $56 million, which is about $2 million less than the salary cap this season.
