One NBA writer believes Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan will be one of the next stars to be traded. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers could try to trade for DeRozan if the Bulls make the USC product available in trade talks.
“DeRozan figures to begin the season in Chicago as the team tries to stay in the playoff picture,” Swartz wrote in his NBA trade column. “But if the Bulls begin to fall further and further back as the year progresses, the two sides should agree to find a new home for the All-Star forward.”
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
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.
The Bulls are 80-70 with DeRozan in the lineup. They acquired the All-Star in the summer of 2021 in a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan has career NBA averages of 21.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists with the Raptors, Spurs and Bulls.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“At age 34, DeRozan is running out of time to win a ring after falling short in all seven of his previous postseason runs,” Swartz wrote. “If he wants to win a title, it won’t be in Chicago. Moving DeRozan to a championship contender is the best path forward for both parties. He’s one of the easiest stars to match salaries with at $28.6 million in expiring money this season, and the Bulls could recoup the first-round pick (and then some) they still owe to the San Antonio Spurs (top-10 protected in 2025).”
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