The mystery of Cavs' Rose drags on

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose said he has no plans to retire, nor is he depressed. "I still am a winner," Rose said in an exclusive interview

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose said he has no plans to retire, nor is he depressed.

"I still am a winner," Rose said in an exclusive interview with The Undefeated.

Rose has been out since since Nov. 7 with an ankle injury. He left the team briefly, leading to speculation that he was upset and contemplating retirement.

He returned to the team a month later and apologized a short time after that, saying that a bone spur in his foot may require surgery if rehab doesn't take.

Right now, Rose and the Cavs have been quiet on a potential return date -- or if the injury will require surgery. While the Cavs have been supportive of Rose and want him to return only when he feels ready, they nor anyone seems to know when that time may come.

Meanwhile, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue told reporters in Sacramento that Isaiah Thomas (hip) will not make his debut Wednesday night at Sacramento. (Lue would not say whether Thomas will be available for Saturday's game at Utah.)

Either way, Thomas is expected to return, and soon, and when he does, it may help the Cavs figure out what to do about Rose.

If Thomas comes out on fire, the Cavs may part ways with Rose, especially since Jose Calderon has proven to be a better fit. Unlike Rose, Calderon has kept the ball moving and shown an ability to make key perimeter shots.

Rose, of course, is the considerably better penetrator, can finish at the basket and has a history of strong play against the Golden State Warriors -- part of the reason the Cavs decided to give him a shot late into free agency.

Rose, 29, has played just seven games this season, and the Cavs are 4-3 in those games. But the bad news for Rose is they are 20-7 without him, and went on a 13-game winning streak almost as soon as he went down.

Does this mean the Cavs have given up on Rose? Hardly. He's been far from a distraction, he does love the game, and he is working toward a return.

But there will likely come a time when they decide they can use the roster spot, or that Rose may be more valuable as a "throw-in" in a February trade.

One thing you can be sure of is the Cavs won't carry on with Rose like this for the entire season. At some point, he will need to fit in, produce and stay healthy.