Best Fits for Bulls Cornerstone Amid Free Agency Rumors

The vultures are circling.

With Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan approaching free agency this offseason, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reports that he “will draw suitors if he gets to unrestricted free agency.”

“Last offseason, the Bulls re-signed [Nikola] Vučević to a three-year, $60 million deal before he hit unrestricted free agency. Critics of the deal maintained the Bulls bid against themselves…

And while there is speculation that DeRozan would be in a similar situation, a league source insists that he will draw suitors if he gets to unrestricted free agency.”

Johnson adds that Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas “has said publicly multiple times that he wants to retain DeRozan.” However, “the two sides haven’t come close to finding common ground yet.” DeRozan inked a three-year, $81.9 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs in 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Bulls.

A six-time All-Star, DeRozan spent his first nine seasons with the Raptors.

Best Fits for DeMar DeRozan Amid Free Agency Rumors

DeRozan has experienced a career resurgence while running with the Bulls.

In fact, he’s played as well with the Bulls as he has with any franchise. Even his best three-season stretch with the Raptors —in which he averaged 24.5 points and 4.4 assists per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field —doesn’t quite measure up to his Bulls tenure.

Over the past three seasons, DeRozan has averaged 25.3 points and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 49.6 percent from the field. In this time, the Compton native has earned respect for his longevity and leadership as much as his playmaking and shot-making. Long effective in the clutch, knocking down tough jumpers in The House The Jordan Built has allowed him to enhance his legacy in the late stages of his career.