The Chicago Bulls have expressed interest in re-signing DeMar DeRozan to a long-term deal and the two sides have had preliminary talks negotiating an extension, according to NBA insider Jamal Collier of ESPN.
DeRozan will make $28.6 million this season. He would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024 if the Bulls didn’t sign him to an extension.
“I told a couple guys last year, ‘I want to see you win. I want y’all to witness what it feels like to win and what comes with winning and being appreciated and called a winner,'” DeRozan said. “That’s just my optimistic mindset when it comes to this. I put my all into it.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
“As much as it’s sucked losing, there’s always a beauty in the journey. … Everything can’t go fine and dandy, but with that, how do you accept the challenge that comes with it. That’s my mindset when I look at it: This is a hell of a journey, let’s make this journey worth it.”
In 74 games last season for the Bulls, DeRozan averaged 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 50.4% from the field and 87.2% from the free-throw line. The Compton native was 13th in the NBA in total points and 17th in points per game, once again proving that he doesn’t need to shoot or make 3-pointers to score.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, DeRozan’s stellar individual season didn’t result in many wins. Chicago won only 40 games and missed the 2023 playoffs. The Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors in the 9-10 play-in game but lost to the Miami Heat in the 8-9 play-in game.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Bulls are 80-70 with DeRozan in the lineup. They acquired the USC product in the summer of 2021 in a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan has career averages of 21.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists with the Raptors, Spurs and Bulls.
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