Along with the Chicago Bulls trying to trade Zach LaVine recently, DeMar DeRozan is also part of the franchise’s plan this offseason. The thing is, the All-Star is basing his own free agency plan on Paul George.
DeRozan entered the league when he was selected ninth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA draft after a standout high school and college career.
DeRozan spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Raptors, emerging as an All-Star and All-NBA level player. He made his first All-Star team in 2014 and led the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016. In 2017, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
After being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018, DeRozan had a few productive seasons there before joining the Chicago Bulls in 2021. With the Bulls, he had a bounce-back campaign in 2021-22, earning his second All-NBA Second Team selection. This season, he became the 50th player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points.
Over his 14-year NBA career, DeRozan has been selected to six All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. He has also represented the United States in international competition, winning gold medals at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics. Known for his mid-range scoring prowess, DeRozan has established himself as one of the most accomplished players of his generation.
Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan Has NBA Free Agency Plan Dependent on Paul George
As it stands, DeRozan is set to become a free agent after his contract with the Bulls expired after the last season. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Chicago star is waiting on All-Star wing Paul George to sign with another team before making his decision.
“It is believed that DeMar DeRozan, with no discernible momentum since the NBA Finals toward a new contract from the Bulls, is likely to wait until George makes his decision to get a better feel for his non-Chicago options,” Stein said.
Just recently, George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year $212 million max contract. This move will now pair him with former MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey in the City of Brotherly Love.
With George now signed, DeRozan is now free to make his move in free agency. It remains to be seen whether he’ll stay with the Bulls or play for another team next season.
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