Derik Rose Possible Carrer Ending Injury

"I don't think it means too much for the team, but I think more importantly as one of his brothers, that's somebody we got to know these last couple months," James said. "We want, whatever he decides to do, we want the best for him. At the end of the day, you can't substitute nothing for happiness."

Derik Rose Possible Carrer Ending Injury

The Injury itself is not career ending but it is on the mental side.


"We hope this ain't the end, but if it is, I was happy I got an opportunity to spend a couple months with him and watch him be the great point guard that he once was," James said. "But at the end of the day, a clearer head, there's no substitute for that."


Rose left the team earlier this week to deal with what the Cavs say is a "personal matter," though it has been widely reported he's unhappy and frustrated because of yet another injury that's keeping him off the court.


Rose missed his eighth straight game Friday for Cleveland -- a 100-99 win over Charlotte -- and the Cavs are 7-1 without him. He's averaging 14.3 points per game this season in his limited time as the team's starting point guard.

Coach Tyronn Lue declined to discuss the details of Rose's departure, though Lue told cleveland.com he was generally aware of why Rose was gone when he left the team. Neither Koby Altman, Cavs general manager, nor B.J. Armstrong, Rose's agent, have returned messages seeking comment.

Lue said he texted Rose to tell him he still had a place on the Cavs and expects him to return at some point. Lue didn't say it, but Rose has an $80 million endorsement deal with adidas he'd lose if he retires, according to ESPN.