Well, this is awkward.

Four-and-a-half years ago Derrick Rose, fresh off signing his five-year, $94 million extension, was asked by Chicago Tribune Bulls reporter K.C. Johnson if he could "think of playing for another team other than the Bulls" when his contract was up in 2017.

At the time, Dec. 22, 2011, Rose was a 23-year-old fresh off an MVP campaign and would be named to his third straight All-Star Game the following February.

So his response made sense, as cringe-worthy as it seems now.

"I don't think so," Rose responded. "Unless they trade me or something."

Rose's laughter was echoed by general manager Gar Forman, who added: "That ain't happening."

Rose then finished: "I want to finish my career here but we'll have to see."

Nearly five years later, Rose did see that the Bulls had different plans for him when they traded him to the New York Knicks in a five-team deal.

Myriad injuries, including ACL surgery and two other knee procedures, crippled a career that once, especially in late 2011, seemed destined for all-time greatness.

Check out the cringe-worthy exchange in the video above, and head to our Bulls page for complete coverage on the Rose trade.