Chicago Bulls' best trade assets: 3. DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan has been a great pickup for the Bulls. He appeared to be on the decline in San Antonio but then posted a career-high 27.9 points per game average in his first season in Chicago. DeRozan has also been selected as an NBA All-Star in both of his seasons as a Bull.
What DeMar DeRozan has brought to Chicago is a sense of professionalism and leadership. He has been “the king of the fourth” for the Bulls since his arrival. DeRozan is who Billy Donovan relies on to make big shots late in games. He’s shown that he can still be that guy, even at 34 years old.
The Bulls have reportedly been in negotiations with DeRozan’s camp on a possible contract extension. Apparently, both sides are far apart in getting a deal done. Could the Bulls let DeRozan walk for nothing at season’s end? Perhaps. Likely not though.
If the Bulls trade DeRozan, they should move him to a contender. He’s on an expiring contract so the return for the USC alum could simply be a salary match. Young players and draft picks would be nice, but it’s doubtful that another team would give up assets of significance for a “rental.”
A young team looking to make a playoff run like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Orlando Magic could be interested in DeRozan. They have an abundance of capital to trade with. Other playoff teams like the Sacramento Kings and the New York Knicks could use a closer.
I would keep an eye on the Lakers dealing for DeRozan. He’s from nearby Compton and nearly signed with the Purple and Gold back in 2021. He could be the third star the Lakers need to make a deep playoff run in 2024.