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Rose will prioritize winning over money in free agency

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Money won't be the first thing on Derrick Rose's mind when he enters free agency this summer.

Having not played in a postseason game since the 2014-15 season, Rose is looking to latch onto a contender, telling reporters he hopes to sign with a winning team when he hits unrestricted free agency in July.

"Not even thinking money. I've got more than enough money saved. If I stopped playing basketball now, I'll be all right," Rose told ESPN's Ian Begley. "I want to win. I want to be happy and feel at peace with myself wherever I'm at. But being at the negotiating table, you never know. I'm not going to negotiate with people where money is the No. 1 thing I'm asking for. I want to win."

While he's nowhere close to the player he was when he won MVP, Rose is putting up solid counting stats for the Knicks this season, and could potentially interest a playoff team in desperate need of an upgrade at point guard.

"This will be the first time I'll be a free agent. I don't know how that process goes," he added. "After the season, me, my agent, my brothers, family will have to talk about it. Of course I want to be here, just being in this environment, being in New York, being at the Garden every other night - it's a blessing. But, again, I have to really talk it over with my agent and my brothers."

The 28-year-old is in the final year of a five-year, $94-million contract extension he signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2011.

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