Pistons reach two-year deal with former MVP Derrick Rose

The Pistons made some news in the opening flurry of NBA free agency, but it wasn’t with one of the elite-level free agents.

Instead, it looks to be to fill one of the big question marks in their roster composition.

The Pistons have agreed to a free-agent deal with point guard and former league MVP Derrick Rose, for two years at $15 million, a league source confirmed with The Detroit News on Sunday night.

The Athletic’s Frank Isola first reported on Saturday that the Pistons had become the favorites to add Rose in free agency.

Rose, 30, had a resurgent year with the Timberwolves, averaging 18 points, 4.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds last season, including 13 starts. He’s coming off a minimum contract, worth $2.4 million, and becomes an intriguing option at point guard for the Pistons, who are over the salary cap and don’t have much financial flexibility in free agency.

More: Ten possible targets for the Pistons in free agency

The Pistons started free agency $9.3 million available in the mid-level exception and the biannual exception of about $3.6 million, each of which can be split among multiple players but not combined for one player.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Pistons will use the mid-level exception to add Rose and will have about $2 million remaining.

Rose looks to be a good roster fit for the Pistons, who have just one point guard under contract after veterans Ish Smith and Jose Calderon became unrestricted free agents after the season. They selected Tennessee’s Jordan Bone in the second round of the draft, but he likely will be on a two-way contract with the G-League.

It’s a big addition for the Pistons, who still would like to add a scoring wing and a backup center during the remainder of free agency.

Rose’s addition was aided by a connection to Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, who was Rose’s agent early in his career.

Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard