The Chicago Bulls have started a change in strategy with their roster building, making major moves this summer to let go of veteran talent like Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond. They also saw DeMar DeRozan leave the franchise, with the three-year Bull leaving a profound impact on the franchise in his stint. Bulls GM Marc Eversley expressed the franchise’s love to DeRozan while explaining why they split up.
“I love DeMar. He was terrific for our organization the last three years. But I don’t think we were in a position to deliver what he was looking for going forward. He wants to win. He deserves an opportunity to win at a really high level. And arguably, we’re not in that situation right now. As much as it hurt to let him go, I’m extremely happy for him.”
DeRozan averaged 25.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists over three years on the Bulls, leading the franchise to their only Playoff appearance (2022) in the last seven years. He was named to the All-Star team twice and was one of the clutches players in the NBA over this span. He was also a model of availability by modern standards, missing just 17 games over three seasons.
The 35-year-old forward was sign-and-traded to the Sacramento Kings this summer in a three-team deal that sent DeRozan to the Kings, Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs, and Chris Duarte to the Chicago Bulls, along with two second-round picks.
DeMar DeRozan Wanted To Be Close To Home
DeRozan being traded to the Kings means he’ll return to the Western Conference after his three-season stint with the Spurs from 2018 to 2021. He chose to sign with the Bulls in 2021 and has now chosen to play for the Kings, though his motivations to be here are much clearer.
The 15-year NBA veteran had real offers from the Kings and the Miami Heat, choosing the Kings as they’re competitive and closest to home.
“It was really down to the Kings and the Miami Heat from what I’m told as far as DeMar DeRozan’s next home. He really wanted to land in a competitive environment, and also I’m told he wanted to go back West at the end of the day. The Kings pushed the hardest, they pushed the fastest, throughout free agency to get a deal done.”
In lieu of offers from the Lakers and Clippers, and with the Kings willing to pay DeMar what he believed he was worth, it allowed the six-time All-Star to return to California. While DeRozan is from Los Angeles, playing in Sacramento is much closer to home than Toronto, Chicago, or San Antonio.
DeRozan signed a three-year, $74 million contract with the Kings. While there was no way the Lakers could’ve matched this price, it seems they didn’t even attempt to sway DeMar into taking less to play for the iconic Lakers.
“I’m told the Lakers never went beyond expressing simple interest in DeRozan. There were no offers or tangible conversations with the Bulls on a sign-and-trade deal. So this is the second straight free agency that perception-wise… Would DeRozan have had to take less money in free agency, was he going to have to take the mid-level exception to land at a destination?”
DeMar will team up with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis to ensure the Kings don’t fail to make the Playoffs like they did last season.
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