According to Greg Swartz on Bleacher Report, the Chicago Bulls are considering DeMar DeRozan as a prime trade option. DeRozan, along with his fellow stars in Chicago, hasn’t quite delivered the expected returns since his acquisition a couple of years ago, and one major factor in this consideration is his expiring contract at the age of 34. Unless the Bulls sign him to a new deal (preliminary talks have been mentioned), there’s a risk of him leaving for free next summer. Therefore, the current moment presents an excellent opportunity to seek value in exchange for the three-time All-NBA guard/forward.
Swartz suggests that moving DeRozan to a championship contender is the most beneficial course of action for both parties. DeRozan’s $28.6 million expiring contract for this season is one of the easiest to match salaries with, and the Bulls could potentially recoup the first-round pick they owe to the San Antonio Spurs (top-10 protected in 2025), and more, in such a trade.
The reality facing the Bulls is that, barring significant player improvements this offseason (which is doubtful), they are likely to begin the new season with the same squad that managed only 40 wins in the last term. Unless unforeseen changes occur, Chicago doesn’t appear equipped to compete against formidable Eastern Conference rivals like the Bucks and the Boston Celtics.
However, there’s good news for the Bulls in retaining Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic if they decide to part ways with DeRozan. This move could enable them to trade DeMar for another star player, injecting much-needed energy into their roster and potentially opening a path to a deep playoff run.
The Bulls may not necessarily need to undergo a complete rebuild after trading DeRozan, but dealing him now ensures he won’t leave as an unrestricted free agent next summer and might bring in future draft picks or young talent. Given uncertainty about Lonzo Ball’s future, exchanging DeRozan for a new starting point guard could elevate the rest of the roster as well.
Reportedly, three teams to watch if DeRozan becomes available for trade are the Los Angeles Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Clippers.