NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls have had over a week to figure out a new deal with six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan. They haven’t.
While it’s still possible the two sides come to terms on a contract before Sunday night’s start to free agency, the chances of that feel slimmer by the day. In fact, on Tuesday afternoon, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reiterated that “little momentum existed” between the two parties on a fresh deal.
When we add that the organization just traded their best defender for a 21-year-old developmental piece, the idea of keeping DeRozan around becomes even more suspect. The Bulls appear on the brink of a real youth movement, which surely doesn’t coincide with re-signing a soon-to-be 35-year-old to a deal potentially north of $35 million annually.
To be sure, we still haven’t heard of many landing spots for DeRozan if he were to test the unrestricted free-agent waters. But there is one name that continues to come up. The Los Angeles Clippers were mentioned at the end of May as a potential suitor for the veteran scorer IF they were to lose Paul George. Well, the Clippers have also struggled to come to terms with George on a deal, paving the way for both the 76ers and (most recently) Warriors to become possible landing sports. So I bet you can guess what K.C. Johnson mentioned this afternoon.
The Bulls’ Insider echoed HoopsHype’s report from May, starting to “keep the Clippers in mind” as DeRozan nears free agency.
DeMar DeRozan and the Clippers
For a team that’s hoping to stay competitive in the Western Conference, DeRozan would sure feel like a reasonable addition. He may not be able to offer the high-end two-way play they get from George nor the efficient 3-point shotmaking. But he would easily be able to supplement the 22.6 points per game that would be headed out the door.
Not to mention, it would give them someone who’s proven to be even more readily available. DeRozan is fresh off appearing in 79 games and has never played fewer than 74 contests in a season since joining Chicago.
It’s also easy to believe that DeRozan would have an interest in teaming up with Kawhi Leonard and possibly James Harden. Not only would this present him with his best opportunity to play meaningful playoff basketball since his Toronto days, but it would also put him back in Los Angeles. The Compton, California native has long been vocal about his desire to return to the West Coast. The Clippers were also the other main team in the running to land DeRozan before he signed with Chicago back in 2021.
This Clippers interest comes with good news for Chicago, too. Since LA has so much money on the books, they’d likely need the Bulls to work out a sign-and-trade. While this is unlikely to net the Bulls an outstanding haul, it could at least help them avoid losing a very good player for nothing. I’ll take that.
Again, we still have to see DeRozan actually hit free agency AND the Clippers decide to let George go for this to come to fruition. The buzz is clearly growing, though, and tonight’s NBA Draft could give us an even clearer idea of what path the Bulls will choose with DeRozan.
More on tonight’s NBA Draft …
