NEWSLETTER
What once felt like a forgone conclusion has become anything but for DeMar DeRozan.
The Chicago Bulls felt destined to keep the six-time All-Star around after another unceremonious ending to the 2023-24 season. Did it seem like the right move to those on the outside? No, but it felt like the kind this front office would have up their sleeve.
Then, Arturas Karnisovas surprised us. Not only did the front office leader trade the team’s best asset for a 21-year-old facilitator, but he drafted a 19-year-old wing. Next came a press conference about the need to build for the long haul, as well as a five-year, $90 million deal for 22-year-old Patrick Williams. While we can’t put anything past this front office that has a confusing and frustrating reputation, it sure feels like all signs point toward a youth movement.
In the eyes of the NBA, a 35-year-old DeRozan sure doesn’t coincide with that thought.
Bye Bye, DeMar DeRozan?
DeMar DeRozan would be a wasted talent on a developing team. A good locker room leader? Absolutely. But DeRozan deserves a chance to play meaningful basketball, and the Bulls aren’t in a position to offer him that.
They also aren’t in a position to offer him the kind of money he’s likely looking for in what could be his last big NBA deal. After two All-Star campaigns in three seasons and an average of 25.5 points per game during his time as a Bull, DeMar DeRozan deserves a pay raise. The Bulls were getting more than they bargained for on his previous three-year, $81.9 million deal. And his camp knows that.
This could be why they turned down a two-year, $80 million extension that was reportedly offered earlier this season. While $40 million a year might be closer to what DeRozan is looking for monetarily, more long-term security is likely what he covets. But, again, why would the Bulls offer that after back-to-back losing seasons?
Arturas Karnisovas sure felt like he made his official decision on DeRozan on Saturday night. The Patrick Williams deal has added another decently sized salary to the cap sheet. As Keith Smith of Spotrac pointed out, Chicago still has a cushion of roughly $22 million before they hit the luxury tax, but that doesn’t leave them enough wiggle room to negotiate in earnest with DeRozan.
To be sure, if the Bulls find a way to move on from Zach LaVine, a lot more wiggle room opens up. Chicago would be able to give DeRozan the kind of money he’s looking for in free agency under those circumstances. But (1) a LaVine trade has been nearly impossible to find and (2) it still doesn’t feel like something this front office is prepared to do.
Karnisovas preached that significant change was on the horizon during his end-of-season press conference (and reiterated as much after the draft). Every move he’s made since has backed up those words. I suspect that we’re headed toward another example of that potentially as soon as 5:00 p.m. CT this evening.
So who are some teams to watch? The 76ers have plenty of cap space to spend, and we know they’ll be looking for win-now additions. The most frequently mentioned team for DeRozan, however, has easily been the Los Angeles Clippers. News broke on Saturday that Paul George would officially hit free agency and take meetings with the 76ers, Magic, and Clippers, per Adrian Wojnarowski. If he ends up signing with either Philly or Orlando (who appear prepared to offer him more money), DeMar DeRozan might be returning to his hometown city.
If one thing is for sure, the Bulls will hold out hope that it isn’t a cap space team that lands the veteran. A sign-and-trade that at least gets the Bulls draft capital or a young player would be best-case-scenario. Most interested parties would likely have to go this route, so fingers crossed that the Bulls can find a way to advantage of that scenario.
