Report: DeMar DeRozan Expected To Remain With Bulls

DeRozan becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Bulls can sign him to an extension before free agency starts. 

“In general, the belief around the league is DeRozan will ultimately re-sign with the Bulls, given the team’s continued desire to compete, his role, and Chicago’s willingness to pay him,” Scotto wrote. 

DeRozan appeared in 79 games for the Bulls this season. The six-time All-Star averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 48.0% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. 

The Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks in the 9-10 play-in game but lost to the Miami Heat in the 8-9 play-in game. 

According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls recently offered DeRozan a two-year extension. 

“A source said the Bulls recently offered DeRozan’s representative a two-year deal at a high annual salary, perhaps as much as $40 million per season,” Johnson wrote. “For now, DeRozan is seeking a longer-term deal, but that merely be part of negotiations.”

DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. 

“DeMar’s been great for us for three years,” Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said. “He’s been invested in the city of Chicago and has been really great to our young guys. So both sides are interested in continuing and we’ll see what happens in free agency.”

DeRozan has career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists with the Toronto Raptors, Spurs and Bulls. He has made three All-NBA teams.

The Bulls are 117-112 with DeRozan in the lineup. They made the playoffs in 2022, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in five games. 

The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers were interested in acquiring DeRozan this season, sources told Hoops Wire. However, the Bulls weren’t shopping DeRozan.