The vultures are circling.
With Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan approaching free agency this offseason, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reports that he “will draw suitors if he gets to unrestricted free agency.”
“Last offseason, the Bulls re-signed [Nikola] Vučević to a three-year, $60 million deal before he hit unrestricted free agency. Critics of the deal maintained the Bulls bid against themselves…
And while there is speculation that DeRozan would be in a similar situation, a league source insists that he will draw suitors if he gets to unrestricted free agency.”
Johnson adds that Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas “has said publicly multiple times that he wants to retain DeRozan.” However, “the two sides haven’t come close to finding common ground yet.” DeRozan inked a three-year, $81.9 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs in 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Bulls.
A six-time All-Star, DeRozan spent his first nine seasons with the Raptors.
Best Fits for DeMar DeRozan Amid Free Agency Rumors
DeRozan has experienced a career resurgence while running with the Bulls.
In fact, he’s played as well with the Bulls as he has with any franchise. Even his best three-season stretch with the Raptors —in which he averaged 24.5 points and 4.4 assists per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field —doesn’t quite measure up to his Bulls tenure.
Over the past three seasons, DeRozan has averaged 25.3 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 49.6 percent from the field. In this time, the Compton native has earned respect for his longevity and leadership as much as his playmaking and shot-making. Long effective in the clutch, knocking down tough jumpers in The House The Jordan Built has allowed him to enhance his legacy in the late stages of his career.
DEMAR DEROZAN IS CLUTCH 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/3s7BXxO5eE
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) March 14, 2024
Now 34 years old, DeRozan has shown no signs of slowing down. So with a game that’s aging like a Bordeaux, the stamina of a boxer, and an everlasting love for hooping, what could DeRozan fetch on the free market?
Though he’s shown more of a commitment to playing defense, DeRozan comes with defensive concerns. He’s been more willing to take shots from deep. However, he’s still largely restricted to scoring inside the arc.
If He Leaves…
The ideal destination for DeRozan is playoff contender that needs a high-usage playmaker. Among those teams, DeRozan will need a franchise with money to blow. Several playoff teams are projected to have at least $20-25 million in cap space this offseason.
With that criteria, the best free agency fit for DeRozan is the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Indiana Pacers.
The Thunder have progressed steadily during their rebuild and now have one of the best teams in the West. However, there’s a lot of pressure on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. OKC will want to keep the ball in his hands as much as possible. Nonetheless, having another reliable go-to scorer increases their chances of winning.
The Thunder are projected to have up to $41.7 million in practical cap space.
The Pacers have been in the playoff conversation for a while. However, they haven’t had enough high-end talent to really make noise. DeRozan — as part of a star quartet that includes Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner —moves the needle. Especially with a supporting cast headlined by Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith.
Notably, Indiana is a team devoid of many great 3-point shooters or perimeter defenders and comfortable with it. Due to that, his weaknesses may be less likely to be a hang-up in contract negotiations.
The Pacers are projected to have up to $36.4 million in practical cap space.
