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24 seconds with Jalen Rose

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Toronto guard Jalen Rose, who has been traded three times in his 11-year career, is at the center of yet another trade rumor that could take him to Portland.

Seattle Times: How do you handle the trade rumors?

Jalen Rose: To be honest, you have to be a pro about it. You have to understand that rumors and proposals are just that. No player is untradeable. That's why a guy like Shaquille O'Neal has played for three teams. That's why there's so much change in sports. Some teams are in it to win if they feel like they have a chance to win today. Some teams are in it to save money and win. And some teams are in it to save money.

ST: Does any of it get personal?

JR: I think the thing that makes it personal is that for some reason there's a stigma put on athletes that you're not a good person or you're not a good player if you played on a few teams. A lot of times what happens is that if you get traded, your old team indirectly leaks out a lot of negative information about the player. Being traded is not like being cut or being waived. You're still playing ball. And hopefully, being a God-fearing man, it means you were meant to be somewhere in a situation that appreciates you for that day.

ST: If you hear about a trade and it doesn't happen, do you still feel the same about your team?

JR: That's the difference between trying to be a pro about it. Because you still have to do what you have to do. You are contracted to play basketball for whatever team. But we are human. That's kind of like saying you're going to be with your wife after you find out she's been cheating on you. You might still be with her, but every time y'all get into an argument, that's going to come up. That's the same with the fans.

ST: Did this latest rumor hurt personally?

JR: I heard about it before it hit the fan because I was listening to the radio when it kind of broke. So it was kind of surprising. But it wasn't a surprise because, after being traded a couple of times, I understand how little things happen before the trade actually goes down.
 
ST: You sound like you're resigned to it.

JR: I just understand what's going on. A lot of people don't understand the business nowadays and unfortunately, it's bigger than the basketball. Now, instead of trading player for player or personality for personality, they're trading salary for salary.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com