Derrick Rose Signs 5-Year Extension With Bulls
(CBS) "Wow."
That was the first reaction from the always humble Derrick Rose Wednesday after agreeing to a five-year, $94 million extension with the Chicago Bulls.
"I think I can finally say this now: Mom, we finally made it," Rose said.
The five-year maximum length deal won't kick in until next season, meaning the Bulls have successfully locked up their franchise player through the 2017-18 season.
"Whatever the maximum length he could sign is what he wanted to sign," Bulls general manager Gar Forman said.
While Forman and head coach Tom Thibodeau were gleaming Wednesday, Rose, a Chicago native, was clearly honored to stay a part of the franchise he grew up rooting for.
"I never would have thought in a million years that I'd sign a contract like this," he said. "Especially coming from an area where I'm from. No one from Englewood, period, has ever been in my position. Sometimes it makes you think, why me?"
Rose will be 29-years-old when the contract expires, but he has no intention of ever leaving Chicago.
"I don't think so," he said when asked if he could ever envision himself playing for another team. "Unless they trade me or something. I want to finish my career here, but we'll have to see."
When Rose mentioned the trade possibility, Forman quickly interjected: "That ain't happening."
Thibodeau later said he wished it was a 10-year deal, but NBA rules prevented Rose from signing anything more than a five-year contract.
So will this deal change Rose at all? Not likely.
"I don't try to think about the money. That's the last thing I'm thinking about," Rose said, adding that his mother always keeps him grounded.
The point guard clearly has one thing on his mind: winning an NBA Championship
"When they think about me, I want people to think about me as a winner. That's it."
