The Bulls and veteran wing DeMar DeRozan are far apart on a potential contract extension, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report (video link).
DeRozan is in the final season of a three-year, $81.9MM contract. He’s making $28.6MM this season and will be an unrestricted free agent if he doesn’t ink an extension.
Chicago was in a similar situation with center Nikola Vucevic last season but wound up re-signing him to a three-year, $60MM deal just before free agency.
However, Haynes’ sources said it’s unlikely that will occur with DeRozan. A more probable scenario is that they’ll look to move him rather than risk losing their leading scorer without getting some assets back for him.
“I was told that if DeRozan and the Bulls, if they cannot reach a contract extension, it is pretty likely that the Bulls may look to move DeMar DeRozan at the trade deadline,” Haynes said. “I don’t think the Bulls want to be put in a situation where DeMar DeRozan can walk in free agency and they get nothing in return.”
Haynes stressed that the Bulls aren’t currently shopping DeRozan, who is averaging 21.8 points, 5.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per night. His shooting averages are down, compared to the last two seasons.
He posted averages of 24.5 points, 5.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds last season while shooting 50.45 from the field. He’s made 44.2% of his field-goal attempts through Chicago’s first 21 games this season.
The Heat and Knicks are among the teams that have previously been named as destinations that would appeal to DeRozan. The Lakers have also been thrown into the mix as a possible suitor.
At the start of the season, DeRozan said he wasn’t the type of player who pushes for a trade: “I feel like I wouldn’t be able to lay down comfortably if I went somewhere and said, ‘(Expletive) trade me. I’m tired of this.’ That’s just not me. I’m going to compete, be the best version I can be and let it go from there.”
Why are we even in contract negotiations with Demar anyway? Dumbest franchise in the league I have the misfortune of being a lifelong fan of
Agreed. What do they even have to discuss?? Why would a team that appears headed to a rebuild be talking contract extension with aging veteran looking for his last contract???
Gar Foreman and John Paxson exited the front office long ago. Same foolishness.
Because they’re not headed to a rebuild. They just want to sell tickets. They’re totally fine being garbage as long as attendance is good.
Really important to keep this core together of a 35 win team
What exactly did the Bulls get back when they decided to dump Lauri Markkanen????
How did the Vucevic trade with Orlando work out?? Wendell Carter and a 1st round pick that became Franz Wagner.
Wasn’t it two firsts? Other one became Anthony Black?
Oh wow
It gets worse. They owe a protected pick to San Antonio for acquiring Derozan in rhe first place still. They also don’t have a 2nd round pick until 2028.
I am a Raptors fan. Currently the Bulls are one of the teams that make me less sad about the current state of my preferred team lol
Bulls only had 1 pick in 2022. Dalen Terry, a miss. Bulls had zero draft picks in 2023.
They should remain apart very far. Why tie money to an aging player that was once a star? They should have let Vucevic go or sign and traded, let Demar go this year, hope that Lonzo opts out, and then they would have money.
Instead they will probably resign Demar and continue to pay Lonzo doctor bills.
Notice how you don’t see Vucevic mentioned in trade rumors after the Bulls signed him to a fresh 3 years and $60 million. Who’s taking that???
Right now maybe the Knicks. They can move Fournier and picks and retain Vucevic for the remaining 2 years at $20M per. It’s not a terrible contract.
Actually, when Vucevic goes to a team that he actually wants to play for that 20M may be cheap.
Bulls need to rebuild! This group is not going anywhere!
Don’t even bother talking, it’s time to not only find a trade but make a whole rebuild.
Your shopping Zach and DeMare doesn’t want to resign unless it’s for bank. You stupidly resigned Vuce for no reason. You knew Lonzo was out and signed Jevon Carter as his replacement hahahah. You continually draft poorly, and any young talent to do get you don’t develop well at all.
DeRozan wants Miami cause it’s a great place to live, his best mate is there in Kyle Lowry, they make the playoffs and he would fit the culture well. NY, big market, make the playoffs, probably has connections there already, and play a good brand of basketball.
Unfortunately for him I don’t think he lands at either spot. Miami won’t give up anything and NY doesn’t need any more guards and non shooters with poor defence.
Brooklyn could make some sense
They need a go to scoring option and also don’t have a bunch of experience on their roster.
As for a return/value, DeRozan is old and his numbers are down, he doesn’t shoot and doesn’t provide much defensively and he’s on an expiring deal so there’s not much value. Maybe Chicago values Ben Simmons and wants to take a rebuilding approach….
They could do a similar approach by going for James Wiseman in Detroit.
Something along the lines of DeRozan and Drummond for Wiseman and Joe Harris.
Drummond going back to Detroit as a vet for Duren and Stewart would be a cool story and DeRozan makes them a better team potentially by giving up two players who don’t get minutes anyways. For Chicago maybe they see potential in Wiseman and want to develop him….. or maybe they try also for Bagley ..
Lastly would be DeRozan out to Utah. Doesn’t help their floor spacing worries but gives them a solid bucket getting option and helps develop Keyonte George, demote Clarkson back to his sixth man role and helps Lauri lead this team.
In return Chicago maybe gets Sexton and THT.
Not great but as the article says, better getting something back then nothing
Lol maybe they value Simmons
But seriously those are the types of garbage returns they will get for him. On a smaller contract different story. I think there is a good chance he finishes the year in Chicago personally.
When you say you’re not the guy that says expletive trade me then you really just said expletive trade me.
Demar should just say trade me.
It looks like SOP among modern NBA FOs. Silly, but consistent. Modern FO’s simply don’t want to make arms-length trades that they’ll need to answer for on the basketball merits. They want a trigger/ excuse, something that they can say compelled them. A declaration of a full rebuild would do the trick, but owernship in CHI wouldn’t have that.
So, offer the Old Man a low extension that he’s almost certain to turn down, and when he does, that provides the trigger. Put the numbers so that if he does accept, the extension might add to his trade value. In any event, I don’t see anything in this that suggests they really want him back on the team next season.
Come to Papa ……. I’ll fix you.
Quickley is your PG for next 8 yrs. Grimes can backup Zach, 6th man. Fournier can still put up 20. But Bulls can use his contract to get a PF. Plus I’ll throw in two 2nd rd picks.
DeM DeR >>>>> to NY Knickerbockers …..
We need a closer …….
link to nba.shar.estori.es
We dont need IQ, Coby is our future PG now. Zach leaving so nobody backing him up here… <<<<<<<< DeM DeR
The Bulls are top 5 in worth despite being a clown show of an org.. nothing is changing, they’ll make moves to keep their superfans coming into the stadium, even if those moves make little sense.