Report: Bulls expected to re-sign DeMar DeRozan in free agency
For the second consecutive season, the Chicago Bulls’ season ended at the hands of the Miami Heat in the second play-in game after finishing one game worse (39-43) than it did a season ago.
Entering an offseason full of question marks, star forward DeMar DeRozan is Chicago’s biggest free agent, looking to cash in on potentially his final big payday. Though it appears it will try to bring DeRozan back, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
“The belief around the league is DeRozan will ultimately re-sign with the Bulls,” he reported Monday. “Given the team’s continued desire to compete, his role, and Chicago’s willingness to pay him.”
The Bulls own DeRozan’s bird rights, so they could theoretically sign him to any amount up to the max. He is their biggest free agent available–with a few others being Patrick Williams, Andre Drummond and Javonte Green.
They did not make any moves to better–or worsen–the roster at the trade deadline for the second straight year. Coby White having a career season amid Zach LaVine‘s foot injury that limited him to just 25 games; Ayo Dosumnu also broke out while Green, totaling just nine games, closed the season strong.
This could be a pivotal offseason to kickstart that, and I’m not sure re-signing DeRozan should be atop their list of priorities. I said the same about keeping Vucevic before they rewarded him with a $60 million extension. For at least the last two seasons, Chicago, who has made the playoffs just once since 2016-17, has been content with mediocrity.
DeRozan led the NBA in minutes last season, averaging 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 48.0 percent shooting, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 85.3 percent from the free-throw line. He will be turning 35-years-old in August.
Letting an asset–one of your best–go for nothing incentivizes you to keep him. But the Bulls are not in any position to contend and should look to rebuild (or re-tool) around White and any other young, controllable asset it finds valuable–not a soon-to-be 35-year-old. Their cap sheet is partially eaten up by LaVine and Vucevic. Why make it worse in this current market?
Do you think Chicago should re-sign DeRozan? Let us know in the comments!
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