Winning fueled Rose's return: 'I don't care about no f---ing money'

Derrick Rose isn't all about the Benjamins. He's all about the Benja-wins.

The veteran point guard recently returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers following an excused leave of absence while re-evaluating his NBA future in light of the slew of injuries he's suffered since his MVP campaign in 2011.

Though walking away from the game would've cost him $80 million in Adidas sponsorship dough, Rose said money wasn't a motivating factor in his decision to continue his playing career.

"Man, I don't care about - not to be rude - I don't care about no f---ing money," he said Friday, as quoted by ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

"It's not about that. I've saved up enough money. It's not about that. If I wanted to leave, I would have left. Like I said, coming back here, starting with rehab, that's my first step. Keeping it simple and just giving my team support and then I'll see what I see off the court."

Rose, 29, had already earned over $116 million in salary from his first nine NBA seasons - plus millions more in endorsements - before inking a one-year, $2.1-million contract with Cleveland this past summer.

Related: Even if Rose wants to return, is he worth the trouble?

After "figuring things out" during his two-week, self-imposed exile, Rose is back with the Cavaliers and focused on helping them.

"I'm here for my team," he said. "I'm here to win. And that's one of the reasons why I came back. ... I just want to hoop."

He'll have to wait before he can get back on the floor, though, as he's been out with a left ankle sprain and revealed he has a bone spur that could require a procedure.

The three-time All-Star averaged 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists over seven games this season for the Cavs, who've gone 13-1 since he last suited up on Nov. 7.