Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James answers questions during the NBA basketball team media day, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Independence, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
The NBA world was once again abuzz, as former NBA MVP Derrick Rose announced he’d be once again taking a leave of absence from basketball due to personal concerns.
READ: Derrick Rose leaves Cavaliers to handle personal matter
Earlier today, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue advised the injury-riddled guard to “take all the time he needs,” and it looks like LeBron James wishes the same for his troubled teammate.
“We want, whatever he decides to do, we want the best for him,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin shortly after the team’s 100-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday (Saturday in Manila).
READ: James has triple-double, Cavs beat Hornets for 7th straight
“At the end of the day, you can’t substitute nothing for happiness. And obviously, we know the injuries that he’s been going through his whole career,” he added.
This is the second time that Rose has requested a leave of absence due to personal matters, the first being when he was with the New York Knicks last season.
His repeated actions have given life to speculations that the 29-year-old star could be possibly retiring from the sport.
“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. We want the best for Derrick. … No matter if he comes back, no matter if he doesn’t, we want him as an individual, as a man, as a father to be just happy with whatever decision he makes.”
Joining the Cavs as a free agent this season, Rose has only managed to suit up for seven of the team’s first 18 games, and has missed the past seven games due to a sprained left ankle.
As of writing, he has yet to give out a statement regarding his decision. Khristian Ibarrola /ra