Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan is in the final year of his contract. Since the Bulls are struggling and DeRozan and Chicago aren’t close in extension talks, most people around the NBA believe DeRozan will be traded before the trade deadline in February.
For his part, DeRozan wants to remain with the Bulls.
“Chicago is Chicago to me,” DeRozan told The Chicago Tribune. “I love it here. Obviously it’s a place I want to be in my career. None of that has changed. I don’t have no other type of doubts or feelings or suggestions to be elsewhere. That don’t cross my mind.”
DeRozan is averaging 22.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season while shooting 43.7% from the field, 36.4% from 3 and 81.9% from the free-throw line. The Bulls are only 10-16. They are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
“When things ain’t going right, it’s always easy to throw those narratives out there,” DeRozan said. “It’s just about how you get through it and how you accept the challenge that’s ahead.”
The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in acquiring DeRozan from the Bulls, sources told NBA Analysis Network. An NBA exec told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that DeRozan “is worth a first in this draft in the 20s.”
“DeMar DeRozan is worth a first in this draft in the 20s since it’s a weak draft, and he’s unrestricted at the end of the season,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “He can be a third scorer on a winning team. I think he’s got some gas left in the tank.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls Updates
A future Hall of Famer, DeRozan has career averages of 21.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Bulls. The 34-year-old has never been to the NBA Finals.
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