Derrick Rose tore his ACL on April 28, 2012 and continues to recover from the injury, sitting out the Chicago Bulls' first round series against the Brooklyn Nets.

"He really wants to play," said Luol Deng. "And this decision, even though people are coming down on him, it's really killing him. It's really hurting him. I know how much he wants to be out there with us."

Rose won't be available for the length of the series against the Nets.

"I know that for a fact," said a person briefed on Rose's status.

Rose wasn't ready in time to play in the regular season, which makes a return during the increased intensity of the playoffs more perilous.

"If Derrick comes in this locker room and says he wants to play tomorrow, his uniform is ready," Deng said. "If he doesn't, we're with him 100 percent."