Demar DeRozan’s move to Chicago was probably the biggest surprise of NBA free agency.
The former Spurs swingman had spent 9 years in Toronto before making his way to San Antonio, where he helped lead his new team to a respectable standing in the West.
Still, with nothing to show for all his time in the NBA, there was a growing sense that DeRozan was seeing his last days in Southern Texas.
And when the 2021 free agency period began, DeRozan was one of the first to be moved.
He ended up picking the Bulls, and his fit there is definitely questionable. But, according to Bleacher Report’s Blake Fischer, he had his pick of six different teams before settling on a future in the Windy City.
DeRozan garnered interest from several other teams early in free agency, such as Philadelphia, Portland, Phoenix, Golden State, Boston and New York. The Knicks quickly pivoted to splurge on Evan Fournier. For Golden State, acquiring DeRozan would have necessitated a complicated salary-matching sign-and-trade with the Spurs that would have sent out Kelly Oubre. But that framework never gained much traction, sources said.
DeMar DeRozan reportedly received interest from Philadelphia, Portland, Phoenix, Golden State, Boston and New York in free agency, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/5Ph75frRFg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 10, 2021
DeRozan isn’t an A-level superstar, but he is an All-Star and a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.
While he never found much success in Toronto, DeRozan was leading that franchise for a while for the first leg of his career, averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 44% shooting.
Even now, at 32, he still has a lot to offer.
As a premier slasher and mid-range specialist, he brings a unique offensive arsenal to any roster.
No doubt, signing with the Warriors, Suns, or Blazers would have given DeRozan his best chance to win a Ring. Instead, he followed the money and joined another highly lucrative franchise.
It remains to be seen how this chapter will play out for DeMar. Can he lift the Bulls to new heights in the East? Can he make his first All-Star team since 2018?
There are so many questions and a lot of doubt about what lies ahead. But, in the mind of the veteran star, he’s right where he’s supposed to be.
