At 6-14 coming into December, the Chicago Bulls are on the fast track to nowhere this season. Things have gotten so bad for the franchise that all signs are pointing towards a rebuild before the end of the season. As one of the team’s oldest players, DeMar DeRozan would likely be among the first to get moved, and he’s already got a few teams in mind.
“Not only is the 34-year-old still very productive, but his expiring contract should incentivize Arturas Karnisovas to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency this summer,” wrote Sam Amick. “When it comes to possible destinations, the Heat and Knicks are known to be preferable to DeRozan if he winds up getting moved.”
At 34 years old, DeRozan isn’t going to be the player he was in his prime and that’s not counting his continued decline defensively, where he can be a liability on the court at times. Even so, his skill set as a scorer and experience as a playoff-hardened veteran could make him a valuable addition in the right situation. The question is, where is the right station for DeRozan at this stage of his career?
A Heartwarming Reunion In Miami?
The Miami Heat have been one of the biggest surprise teams this season. Despite striking out on several big-name trade targets this summer (including Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Jrue Holiday), they are more than holding their own with an 11-8 record through 19 games. Besides the inspiring play of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Heat have enjoyed unexpected production from rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Adding a guy like DeRozan to the mix threatens to upset the chemistry and cohesion they have going right now, but the Heat may not be that far off from being a legitimate contender and DeRozan could be the piece that brings them a step closer. In the frontcourt with Butler and Bam, he’d get new opportunities on offense and a chance to reunite with his former Raptors co-star, Kyle Lowry. Either way, with averages of 21.3 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game on 45% shooting, DeMar would certainly add another layer of depth to Miami’s surprisingly deep cast.
The Knicks Need Firepower
For the first time in years, the Knicks are on the rise but making that final jump from steady playoff team to championship contender will require some additional moves from GM Scott Perry. While DeRozan brings toughness, experience, and 3-level scoring to the table, he’s not the kind of player who would make the Knicks a significantly better team.
Instead of spending their assets for DeMar, the Knicks would be better served waiting things out and going all-in for the next All-NBA level player who becomes available. Still, if things go sideways and the Knicks get desperate for change, they could use the dysfunction in Chicago to take a risk and try something new.
For now, the waiting game continues for DeRozan and the rest of the Bulls roster. With each passing loss, the trade rumors persist, and it seems like it is only a matter of time before the core players find new homes for their NBA careers.
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