One NBA writer is proposing that the New York Knicks acquire shooting guard DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls this summer.
Our own James Piercey of NBA Analysis Network proposed that the Knicks trade Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose and multiple draft picks to the Bulls for DeRozan.
“Some Knicks fans may question this move,” Piercey wrote. “We already mentioned DeRozan’s limited spacing. Will that work in this team’s offense? Is this a player who will get the most out of the players they already have? We don’t see why not. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson can both shoot. RJ Barrett is inconsistent, but given his generally lackluster performance this season, we’re assuming that DeRozan is replacing him in the starting lineup. Barrett could pilot the second unit.
“Mitchell Robinson is a non-shooter. At the same time, he ought to have dynamic pick-and-roll chemistry with DeRozan. Meanwhile, DeRozan spaces the floor well enough to survive. If all goes well, they may do even more than that.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
DeRozan is one of the top players in the NBA. The six-time All-Star averaged 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Bulls this season while shooting 50.4% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 87.2% from the free-throw line.
Chicago, despite having Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucecic and DeRozan, missed the playoffs this year after making it in 2022.
A future Hall of Famer, DeRozan has career averages of 21.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Bulls. The Knicks need a veteran like DeRozan in their locker room who can teach Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson how to prepare and win in the playoffs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
New York lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games. The team needs a bonafide star next to Brunson and DeRozan certainly fits that bill. Randle is a good player, but he’s better suited to be a third option.
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