Forward DeMar DeRozan is one of the best players on the Chicago Bulls, well-known for his midrange prowess and scoring ability. Though he is clearly a valuable piece for the team, his long-term future with the team has been a matter of much speculation, as he is in the last year of his current deal. However, it seems as though the Bulls and DeRozan have a mutual interest in extending their partnership.
A recent report from Jamal Collier of ESPN revealed that the Bulls and DeRozan have engaged in “preliminary talks” about a long-term extension.
“DeRozan, 34, is entering the final season of his contract and is set to earn $28.6 million. The Bulls have expressed interest in re-signing DeRozan to a long-term deal and the two sides have had preliminary talks negotiating an extension, sources told ESPN.”
From the Bulls’ perspective, it makes sense to re-sign DeRozan for multiple reasons. On the court, he gives them continuity and a veteran leader. It is also preferable to re-sign him rather than let him become a free agent in 2024. If things don’t work out, then DeRozan can always be used as a trade chip later on.
This past season, DeRozan averaged 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He is still an All-Star-level talent who has shown no signs of decline athletically, and we’ll see how he does with the Bulls next season.
DeMar DeRozan Didn’t Want The Chicago Bulls To Rebuild
This summer, there have been a lot of calls for the Bulls to start a rebuild, as they were eliminated in the play-in tournament by the Miami Heat despite having a lot of talent on the roster. However, DeRozan rejected the idea that the Bulls need to rebuild, noting that people who say that don’t know basketball.
“I think a lot of people who say that or suggest that really don’t understand basketball at all, in my opinion. You can think that’s an answer or that’s a route. But there’s no telling how long that route is going to even last. That route doesn’t necessarily always work in a timely fashion that you may think it will take. With that, it’s hard to find and create talented players like the players that we already have assembled. We made a lot of mistakes. It’s not only on the players, but the coaching staff as well to be able to correct the mistakes that we have because we weren’t far off at all with the mistakes that we’ve had.”
The Bulls definitely have the talent to be competitive, but it is clear that some moves need to be made for them to become a true championship-level team. It is up to the front office to make those necessary upgrades, and we’ll see if they make any moves ahead of the trade deadline this year.
The Bulls Have Talked To Other Teams About Zach LaVine
Though the Bulls want to keep DeRozan, it seems as though they’ve had some trade conversations about others on their roster. In fact, it was recently revealed that the Bulls have talked to rival teams about a Zach LaVine trade, but nobody wants to match their asking price.
The team potentially trading LaVine would be a huge move, and would signal the start of a rebuild, or at least a pivot. However, the team does not seem close to a LaVine trade at the moment.
The Bulls are clearly a team to monitor heading into the trade deadline this season. Their talented players could end up being available for trade, with many contenders likely willing to enter trade talks with them.
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