Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose refutes Pau Gasol rumours – NBA Update
Chicago Bulls super star Derrick Rose has denied any knowledge of his franchise trying to recruit Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol. Rose said he was happy with the team he had and was confident he could achieve what he wanted to with his current teammates.
"I heard about it after (Monday's) game," Rose said. "That's something I wouldn't say to anyone, that I need someone to come to this team or I'm trying to get rid of someone on this team. It was all false and that's something I would never do."
Gasol has been on the market for quite a while. The Lakers initially tried to trade him away to the New Orleans Hornets, in exchange for super star point guard Chris Paul. That move was shot down by the NBA and since then Lamar Odom, the other player who would have headed to the Hornets, has left the Lakers.
Gasol has stuck around and said he wants to remain with the team despite the fiasco. Rumours though have picked up recently that the Lakers have decided to trade him away after all and Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak also refused to rule out a move.
Chicago Bulls and Rose got linked to the Gasol saga after sources suggested that Rose wanted the Bulls to make a move for the Lakers Spanish big man. According to what was earlier reported, the Bulls were prepared to offload power forward Carlos Boozer, as well as guard C.J. Watson, in order to Pau.
The rumours also suggested that Rose was behind the move. Derrick though has now categorically denied any such deal or his role in it. He has in the past refused to try and recruit players for the Bulls and has maintained that it’s something he doesn’t feel comfortable doing.
The star has gone as far as to talk to Carlos Boozer and clear the air with him. Rose revealed that he has complete faith in his teammates and he let Boozer know just in case doubts had crept in because of the story.
"He should know, but I talked to him a little bit," Rose said. "But I think he already knew they were false; where it's something I wouldn't do to anyone, especially trade him to any team. It was all false."
"I'm good with the teammates I have," Rose said. "I've always been saying that."
The Bulls have been playing pretty well in the current NBA season and Boozer has improved as well, playing with much more vigour in the games that Rose has missed due to injury.
It is no surprise then that Rose doesn't want Carlos Boozer to go anywhere.
Tags: