Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Rose confirms he might need ankle surgery

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Derrick Rose divulged that he may need ankle surgery at the mid-day shootaround prior to Friday night's road game against the Indiana Pacers.

Rose recently rejoined the team after a two-week hiatus and was in good spirits. The thing bothering him most was his left ankle.

"I got to go through rehab with trying to get my ankle right," Rose told reporters in his first media session since prior to leaving the club. "I got a bone spur that I didn't tell anybody, but I was just trying to process all that myself.

"It's all about first getting the area to calm down and then strengthening your leg back up again. So, afterwards, we may have to have a procedure but who knows."

Rose initially injured the ankle on Oct. 20 and has played in just seven of Cleveland's 25 games.

Rose was less open when it came to his absence from the club. He refused to disclose his whereabouts during that time and whether or not he was considering retirement.

He got upset when it was suggested the reported $80 million left on his Adidas contract was a big factor in why he returned to the team.

"Man, I don't care about -- not to be rude -- I don't care about no (bleeping) money," Rose said. "It's not about that. I've saved up enough money. It's not about that. If I wanted to leave, I would have left.

"Like I said, coming back here, starting with rehab that's my first step. Keeping it simple and just giving my team support and then I'll see what I see off the court."

Rose also shot down a reporter's questions that he requested a trade during his time away.

"No, no, no, no, no, no. Trade? No," Rose said. "Come on, man. I'm on one of the best teams in the league? Why would I ask to get traded? They gave me every opportunity and still are going to give me every opportunity that I would want from any other team too and that's just to hoop. I just want to hoop."

Rose averaged 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists prior to his absence.

Rose was the 2011 NBA MVP as a member of the Chicago Bulls before multiple knee injuries derailed his career. When he left the Cavaliers, it was reported that he was tired of injury related issues and was weighing his future.

Rose, a three-time All-Star, disappeared from the New York Knicks without notification last season and missed a game. He later said his departure was related to a family matter.