Six-time NBA All-Star Demar DeRozan, one of the best basketball players USC has ever produced, is likely to leave the Chicago Bulls. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the trade that brought Josh Giddey to Chicago was the “final straw” for DeRozan.
“A source told the Sun-Times late Sunday night that the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey trade was the final straw in DeRozan’s mind for any sort of return, as the 34-year-old will now use his free agency to shop elsewhere,” Cowley reported.
The Bulls’ front office and head coach Billy Donovan have been happy with DeRozan over the last few years. General manager Arturas Karnisovas said about the shooting guard that “DeMar’s been great for us for three years. He’s been invested in the city of Chicago and has been really great to our young guys. So both sides are interested in continuing.”
Yet, the Bulls’ moves paint a different picture.
DeRozan, a USC Trojan and Compton native, will likely want to go home to L.A. to play for the Lakers or Clippers. He deserves to be in a winning situation competing for a NBA title. The Bulls, at this stage of their rebuilding, unfortunately can’t provide that for him.
The Lakers’ interest is genuine, and the Bulls are open to sign-and-trade possibilities, sources indicated. However, any sign-and-trade would have to be for at least three years and at less annual salary than what DeRozan wants. We shall see where he lands, but my best bet is he’ll take less to play for a contender like the Lakers. My sleeper pick would be the Miami Heat.
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