Derrick Rose missed the past three games with a hamstring injury and is now undergoing an MRI. However, the bigger cause for concern is that he is undergoing the MRI for a knee injury and not the hamstring problem. The Chicago Bulls are finding ways to win right now and they are doing so without Rose as there is concern that might have to continue with the latest injury to the point guard.
According to ESPN's Nick Friedell, Rose is undergoing an MRI after dealing with right knee soreness. This issue was not the reason he missed the past three games which is why the injury was a surprise to the Bulls on Sunday. The point guard did have meniscus surgery on his right now back in November of 2013 while also having a meniscectomy on the same knee in February of 2015. Rose denied that this latest issue was a setback of any kind. The point guard simply described the issue as discomfort and noted that the MRI was just to rule out everything for safe measures.
"I feel good," Rose said, via ESPN.com. "I feel all right. I just overworked myself. I gotta figure out the days where I'm going to sit. I have to do a little bit better. But the games I have rolling, just tried to give myself a little bit more than I had. And it backfired on me. Tomorrow the MRI. I know everything's going to be fine. But it's more reassurance."
The absence of Rose does not seem to be playing a huge role for the Bulls right now as the team continues to win games. Jimmy Butler has carried the team to four wins in a row right now thanks to his 42 points against the Toronto Raptors. The Bulls would certainly like that to continue with Rose out of the lineup as injuries could play a part in just how active Chicago decides to get in the trade market.
Joakim Noah remains out with a shoulder injury which is making the Bulls rely more on depth than they planned to. That is helping Bobby Portis make his mark on the team as he is quickly proving that Noah is expendable. The rookie center has been impressing early and with Noah dealing with an expiring contract, the Bulls might not put up a fight to retain him. According to the Chicago Sun Times, trade talks for Noah were intensifying prior to his shoulder injury. Once he is healthy, the discussions could continue as head coach Fred Hoiberg stressed more minutes for Portis.
"We're going to continue to find minutes for Bobby and there's no doubt about it," Hoiberg said, via the Chicago Sun Times. He's playing too well, he's playing with so much confidence. He rebounds the ball, he plays with a toughness and a swagger, and that's what you want. We've talked all along; Bobby's not going to back down from anybody and he continues to show that night after night.''
Until both Rose and Noah are healthy, the Bulls are not going to engage in trade talks. Even when they are back to 100 percent, the Bulls might still not engage in trade talks. The team is winning and proving they have the depth to carry them into the playoffs this season. Change is not necessarily needed unless the Bulls have no plans on retaining Noah and would prefer to get something in exchange for his talents.
