The Chicago Bulls will possibly be left with a DeMar DeRozan-sized hole come NBA free agency this summer. While DeRozan had affirmed his loyalty to the franchise earlier last year, things have not quite progressed between the player and the team– at least not in terms of contract negotiations.
Currently in the final year of his $81.9 million contract with the Bulls, Deebo is bagging a massive $28,600,000 this season. Whether he will walk out the door and find a new harbor in the league, remains uncertain as of now. In the meantime, here’s a comprehensive contract and salary breakdown of the leading Clutch-Player of the Year contender.
DeMar DeRozan Contract and Salary Breakdown
DeRozan signed a three-year Sign-and-Trade deal worth $81,900,000 with the Chicago Bulls in August 2021. The terms of this contract will run out by the end of the 2023-24 season and the 34-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent thereafter.
While contract negotiations are ‘still underway’, here’s an estimated breakdown of how much DeMar DeRozan is making from his Bulls contract:
- Guaranteed at signing: $81,900,000
- Average annual salary: $27,300,000
- Salary for 2023-24: $28,600,000
- Salary per game: $348,780
- Salary per quarter: $87,195
- Salary per minute: $7,266
Why DeRozan is an Absolute Catch in Free Agency
A master of the midrange game, DeRozan’s smooth footwork and deadly accurate shooting from inside the arc is always welcome in the offense. His stellar run of form has made the player a ‘dream’ target in impending free agency for multiple teams in the East and the West.
The versatile player is averaging 23.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game this season and it is no news that his scoring has only gotten better with time. In fact, DeRozan has already passed up NBA greats like Elgin Baylor and Dwyane Wade on the all-time scoring list. Adding someone of DeRozan’s repertoire to the roster would give a huge boost to almost any team in the league, be it the Knicks, Nets, or the Sixers.
But it’s not just his scoring that makes him special. DeRozan is also an underrated playmaker, capable of finding his teammates with precise passes when the defense collapses on him. His ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line is another aspect of his game that makes him incredibly valuable.
Contract Negotiations So Far
Night in and night out, Deebo is delivering for the Red and Black, whether it’s dropping 30 points or coming through in the clutch. Despite Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas expressing a desire to keep DeMar DeRozan on the team, there hasn’t been significant progress in contract negotiations.
Now that the Bulls have made it to the play-in tournament, much might depend on their next few games with DeRozan leading the team up front.
The Chicago Bulls have officially clinched a play-in spot pic.twitter.com/nVNi2Hgzmd
— ChicagoBullsCentral (@BullsCentraI) April 2, 2024
While fans would definitely love to watch DeRozan’s six-foot-six frame continue to dominate the courts in Chicago, a new chapter elsewhere seems to be more likely in the cards. Losing DeRozan makes a full off-season rebuild very possible for the Bulls.
