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The Chicago Bulls continue to straddle two timelines, with no clear pathway for the franchise emerging as the ’23-24 season comes into focus. The team has a number of intriguing young players on the roster to grow and develop, but the majority of the minutes and salary will end up going to Chicago’s veterans. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and DeMar DeRozan are a great trio, but this foundation isn’t enough for any sort of meaningful run in a crowded Eastern Conference. After signing Vucevic to an extension this summer, are the Bulls about to double down on this core by offering DeRozan a new deal?
DeRozan will be 35 next season, and is now eligible to ink a four-year, $179 contract extension with Chicago. Without a new deal, the veteran guard is set to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, this is setting up a “no win situation” for Chicago. On a recent episode of the “Hoop Collective” Podcast, the hosts suggested signing DeRozan to a longer deal could be a disaster, but losing him for nothing in free agency is not a great situation either.
While Bontemps was quick to praise DeRozan’s contributions in a Bulls uniform, he ultimately took the position that making a trade would be the best path forward for Chicago. You can check out the entire conversation below.