According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, DeMar DeRozan will draw suitors if he gets to unrestricted free agency this offseason.
DeRozan will become an unrestricted free agent this summer if the Chicago Bulls don’t sign him to an extension before free agency starts.
“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 wrote. “The needle the Bulls must thread if they want to re-sign DeRozan and Patrick Williams and avoid paying the luxury tax will be a tight one, particularly if Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball remain on next season’s payroll.”
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. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 25.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks with Chicago.
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.
DeRozan, who began his career with the Toronto Raptors, is averaging 23.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 47.5% from the floor, 33.7% from beyond the arc and 86.1% from the free-throw line. He’s making $28.6 million in the final year of his contract.
The Bulls are 34-35. They are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. If the season ended today, DeRozan and Co. would be in the NBA play-in tournament for the second straight year.
DeRozan, 34, has career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Raptors, Spurs and Bulls. The USC product has made three All-NBA teams and six All-Star teams.
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