Senior NBA Insider for The Athletic, Shams Charania, broke some contract news this morning regarding DeMar DeRozan. Approaching free agency this summer, DeRozan has vocalized that he's letting his agency handle the negotiations while he's focusing on the season ahead. Last night's opening night did not go as planned for the Bulls, and things have gone even further downhill. What update did Charania give, and what does it mean for the future of DeRozan in Chicago?
"Apart On Multiple Fronts"
Not to anyone's surprise, DeRozan and the Bulls are not agreeing on his future value. Riding arguably the best two-year stretch of his career, the six-time All-Star has as much negotiating power as any pending free agents leaguewide. Still, his age is preventing a lucrative payday, entering his age-34 season. Until more details are revealed, it's only speculation to wonder where the two sides are at, or which side is misvaluing DeRozan's future value.
The best assumption would be that Chicago's deal is more short-term, team-friendly, and incentive-based. As an aging star, DeRozan's health and attrition will soon be a factor in his performance, and having recently extended Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White, the Bulls core is locked up for several years. Patrick Williams is due north of $20 million annually this summer, and at 22 years old might be the better option moving forward.
Getting Value Before His Departure
If Chicago realizes they will not be bringing back DeRozan in 2024, they'll likely pull the trigger at the trade deadline to get something in exchange for his services before he's gone. Contenders are often looking for playoff rentals, and this looks like another case along those lines. ESPN's senior writer has already brought this to the NBA world's attention as the theory slowly becomes the truth.
Trading DeRozan would make a significant impact on Chicago's future trajectory. Averaging north of 26 points and five assists per game, missing his offensive production would cripple the Bulls immediately. His fourth-quarter scoring has led the league each of the last two seasons, and he was the lone All-Star selection for them in 2022. Any draft capital or young assets that Arturas Karnisovas can acquire for DeRozan would help in the soft rebuild Chicago would be undergoing following his departure.
Weathering The Storm One Day In
After six months of waiting for the opening tip last night, Chicago fans have been disappointed and angry with everything that has followed. First, the Bulls were embarrassed on their home court via a 20-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Next, a players-only meeting emphasized how quickly things need to pivot before heading down a similar path as last season. Today, DeRozan's contract update is showing very unlikely that he will be in Chicago after this season. As proven by the previous three trade deadlines, Karnisovas is not quick to pull the trigger despite a sub-.500 record and early indications show DeRozan will likely walk with no return for the Bulls.
Buckle up, Bulls Nation. Things can only improve from now on, and this could be a very different roster in a few months.
Will DeRozan and LaVine be in Chicago after the trade deadline? What will come of the players-only meeting? Will the three-ball start to fall, or will this roster mirror last year's issues?
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