Derrick Rose will travel on the Bulls’ two-game trip to Orlando and Miami, confirming CSNChicago.com Aggrey Sam’s report over the weekend that the point guard was set to begin traveling with the team.
Coach Tom Thibodeau was quick to shoot down the thoughts that Rose was any closer to returning to the court.
“You don’t want to rule out anything,” Thibodeau said. “But he has to go through regular practice for an extended amount of time before we even think about him playing.”
Rose has joined the team in Los Angeles during their Nov. 17 loss to the Clippers, as he was already there for rehabbing purposes.
Thibodeau also stated that only when he’s truly ready and makes it through some practices without experiencing soreness the days preceding will they make a decision about whether or not he’s ready to return.
Rose has been participating in non-contact portions of practice, but he’s still some time away from taking contact.
While he will travel with the team for the first time this season, he will not be a spectator on the bench.
“All along, as he has started to do more, he’s going to be traveling and working on what he needs to work on,” Thibodeau said. “Prior to the games, I want him to do his rehab. He’s still focused on that. As he gets closer, he’ll eventually be on the bench. But we’re still a little bit away from that.”
Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah did not participate in practice on Tuesday, but will join the team in Orlando.
Noah is battling illness and Hinrich is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee that was suffered during Saturday’s win over Washington.
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