Another spring on the horizon. Another spring of a wilted Rose in Chicago.

The Bulls announced Tuesday that their star point guard needs surgery on his right knee yet again to repair a medial meniscus tear that could cut short his season for an incredible fourth straight campaign. After missing the entire 2012-13 season, he played in just 10 games in 2013-14 before requiring surgery.

At 36-21, the Bulls have so far been successful in holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers for first place in the Central Division. But their hopes for this season and the future are uncertain now with Rose headed back to the operating table. Still only 26, Rose is young enough to come back but one has to wonder how much more his right knee can sustain and whether he’ll ever be healthy to withstand an 82-game regular season and extended playoffs.

How much longer can the Bulls hold their franchise hostage? Unlike big men, there are plenty of point guards available in college and free agency but few can make the impact of Rose, the 2011 MVP – when he’s healthy.

From a purely business standpoint, that is not something Chicago management can expect going forward. It’s one thing for a key building block to miss one, maybe two, seasons due to injury but essentially four consecutive postseasons? The Bulls simply have to move on now and plan as if Rose wasn’t coming back at all.

They have no other choice.