The Bulls and Spurs have officially finalized the sign-and-trade deal sending veteran forward DeMar DeRozan to Chicago, reports Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
DeRozan confirmed (via Twitter) that his deal with Chicago, which was first reported last Tuesday, is now done, while the Bulls and Spurs issued press releases announcing the move. DeRozan reportedly received a fully-guaranteed three-year, $85MM commitment from Chicago
In exchange for the four-time All-Star, the Spurs received forwards Thaddeus Young and Al-Farouq Aminu, a future protected first-round pick, the Lakers’ 2022 second-round pick, and the Bulls’ 2025 second-round pick. The earliest the Spurs will receive that first-round pick from Chicago is in 2025, since the Bulls owe a top-four protected 2023 first-rounder to Orlando.
[RELATED: Hoops Rumors Glossary: Ted Stepien Rule]
The move punctuates a productive offseason for the Bulls, who also landed Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade with New Orleans and signed Alex Caruso using the mid-level exception. They’ll join a group led by Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic as Chicago looks to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
While DeRozan’s lack of a three-point shot (he has made 35 in the last three seasons) is an oddity for a wing in the modern NBA, his mid-range game is deadly and he has become a legitimately dangerous play-maker, averaging a career-best 6.9 assists per game in 2020/21 to go along with his 21.6 PPG and 4.2 RPG. Opponents will have a tough time stopping lineups featuring him, LaVine, and Vucevic, even if it won’t be the most stout group defensively.
The Sixers, Suns, Trail Blazers, Warriors, Celtics, Clippers, and Knicks were reportedly among the teams to express interest in DeRozan, but some of those clubs went in different directions and several didn’t have the ability to match or top the Bulls’ offer to the 32-year-old.
With Ball, DeRozan, and Caruso officially locked up, the Bulls will focus on resolving Lauri Markkanen‘s contract situation. The restricted free agent forward is reportedly looking for a fresh start away from Chicago, but the Bulls won’t want to let him walk without getting an asset or two in return.
The Spurs, meanwhile, are now free to move forward on completing the rest of their reported free agent signings, including Zach Collins, Bryn Forbes, and Jock Landale.
The DeRozan deal had been the last trade reported during the 2021 offseason that hadn’t yet been finalized. All of this month’s reported trades are now official.
Spurs appear to have too many players under contract. They’ll need to make more moves to accommodate everyone.
Teams can carry up to 20 in the offseason, so the Spurs shouldn’t have any issues yet. Might be a tight fit on the 15-man eventually though.
Don’t be surprised if the SASpurs trade a couple of guards and newly acquired draft picks to go after Simmons …
That would be great for them and him, just don’t see them having what Philly wants
Bulls had one of the better offseasons. Definitely should make the playoffs and compete with the likes of Atlanta and New York. I don’t see a championship caliber roster, but they can make some noise and have pieces to swing a major trade.
Any of the teams between the top 3 and the bottom 3 in the east could make the playoffs, there’s not a whole lot of difference there with so much parity.
That is true but I was putting the Bulls more in the 4-6 range. Not top3 for sure but a lot better than a “possible” play-in team like Charlotte.
Bulls have $12 million tax room.
Are the Bulls better than Hawks?
3 all stars
Nikola Vucevic, LaVine and DeRozan
Lauri, Ball
bench
Williams
White
Caruso
How can they be better. If they never played together. Give it half a year.
Clear PTSD from 90s, maybe that Pippen dunk, who knows
We are 9,5M under the tax threshold but we are limited to minimums, the biannual and anything we get for Lauri or Lauri himself.
Hawks were good after the coach change but they need to show they can sustain this and we need to pwerove can win as the fans think
How is Markkanen going to start when he won’t even be here. And if he is here, He sure as hell won’t be starting. White is out til February. Worst depth guess ever.
I don’t know if Dosunmu can shoot NBA 3’s or not, But at least I know I won’t see an article 3 years from now saying Hey, I think I’ll try on defense now. I’ll give that a shot I think.
I would keep Markkanen make him the sixth man. He can play small ball center too. Don’t get why Bulls mess with him. It seems to me Bulls aren’t sure which way to go. With team philosophy. Seems now they just don’t want to lose Zach. Still they got more talent. And are a better team than last yrs team. Let’s see what hey do.
Spurs are the sleepers in Simmons sweepstake
Bulls should sign and trade Lauri for more vets or bench pieces and they would be solid
Let look at the Bulls:
PG: Ball – Caruso – Dotson
SG: LaVine – White – Green
SF: DeRozan – Williams – Lauri
PF: Williams – Lauri – Simonović
C: Vucevic – Simonović – Lauri
You have Ayo Dosunmu that will most likely be used in White absence, so as the Bulls look to trade Lauri my opinion the should keep him and let him play PF while using Williams as the sixth man this season and then that roster would be solid.
Another flawed depth chart.
PG- Ball-Caruso-After Feb- White
SG- Lavine- DeRozan – White- Green= Ayo
C- Vujevic-Bradley- Yet to be found
SF- DeRozan – Williams- Brown- Green
PF- Williams- Simonovic- Aldridge? – Bradley?
Maybe they sign Aldridge who just wants to prove he can play and if it goes bad he can be flipped at the deadline if he wants a shot at a title. Don’t think the Bulls are title threats yet but they are improving faster than I thought.
Simon Ovid can play 5, and Lauri was pathetic trying to keep up with 3s. White cannot play 2, he is a6th man catch and shoot type. Aldridge would be worth a shot at the min at 4 or 5, 12 min per game. Williams is pretty versatile and can guard all 5 positions, like him as if not a starter a key rotation piece, especially if he gets more assertive with his shooting. Sadly I think Ayo will be a better story than contributor, but a slight upgrade on last year’s end of bench guards.
Simonovic @5, damn autocorrect
I like the idea of signing Aldridge and it’d be fitting if he finished his career with the team that traded him on draft night.