Derrick Rose is hoping his decision to join the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer will help him resurrect his career.

The point guard opted to join the reigning Eastern Conference champions on a one-year, $2.1 million minimum contract despite seeking a max deal as a free agent.

Since becoming the league's youngest MVP in 2011, Rose's career was curtailed due to multiple ACL injuries.

He showed toughness both mentally and physically to come back on each occasion but it was clear he wasn't the explosive player he once was.

In recent years, the 28-year-old's health has improved and he's enjoyed more time on the court but there are those who still doubt whether he can compete at the highest level.

The three-time All-Star has admitted that has played on his mind and affected him on the court.

Now that he's on a winning team in Cleveland and playing on a star-studded roster, he feels rejuvenated and is hoping he can finally enjoy his basketball again and approach the game better from a mental aspect.

"I was in a dark place years ago, man," Rose said. "By a dark place, I mean, I was playing, like, revenge basketball, and that wasn't my way of playing basketball.

"I enjoy competing, but when I came back it was about just trying to get back to the top and proving everybody wrong. Like, I know who I am as a man, I know who I am as a player or person. There's no point in doing that anymore. It's just being secure as a person and knowing who I am."

Last season, D.Rose proved he can still be productive as he averaged 18 points on 47.1 percent shooting, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 64 games for the New York Knicks.

He initially signed for the Cavs to be the backup point guard to Kyrie Irving but he will now spend the first part of the season as a starter following Irving's trade to the Boston Celtics and his replacement, Isaiah Thomas, being ruled out until at least January with a hip injury.

Head coach Tyronn Lue has praised him for his decision to make a sacrifice and join the franchise.

"That just says a lot about him, about his character," Lue said about him joining the Cavaliers. "A guy who has been MVP, who started his whole career and to come here for the minimum knowing and thinking that Kyrie is going to be here with him being the backup, it just shows he wants to win.

"And that's who he is as a person. You can see it every single day. He wants to be a winner. He wants to win. He works that way. So it's just great to have him here."