The Chicago Bulls did more than survive their opening-round match against the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In Tournament. They were mostly dominant in the 131-116 game, and six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan played an important role.
DeRozan is expected to become a free agent this upcoming offseason.
Former Golden State Warriors president and general manager Bob Myers shared his thoughts on how the Bulls – or another interested team should handle the 15-year veteran.
“You know who I’m impressed by? DeMar DeRozan continues to impress me,” Myers said during ESPN’s halftime show on April 17. “At his age, I’m just increasingly becoming more of a fan of him; how he carries himself.”
Myers was passionate when asked if teams ought to show interest in DeRozan in free agency.
“Yes, of course,” Myers told fellow panelist Michael Wilbon, a Chicagoan and noted Bulls fan. “The Bulls should.”
DeRozan finished the win against the Hawks with 22 points on 52.6% shooting, as well as nine assists, six rebounds, one block, and one steal.
It was more than just his scoring.
DeRozan’s presence led the Hawks to send two defenders. That allowed Coby White to achieve a potential career-high 42 points, something Hawks star Dejounte Murray lamented said after the game..
DeMar DeRozan Looking to Re-Sign With Bulls With Free Agency Looming
It’s that kind of impact on the court – and a strong leadership role in the locker room – that had Bulls general manager Marc Everlsey speaking positively about DeRozan and honestly about his desires to resign him this offseason.
“DeMar’s been great,” Eversley said, per The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry on August 21. “He’s been fantastic for this group, not only on the court but off the court. He’s been a leader. I would love DeMar to be part of this program long term. … We hope Deebo’s back. He’s been an integral part of this program’s success. We hope he is here long term.”
DeRozan remains interested in the idea too despite talks on a potential extension going cold.
“This is where I want to be,” DeRozan said, per NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson on April 11. “They know it. Everybody knows my stance. I lay it down from this perspective: I want to come back. Everybody else figure out what you need to figure out. And that’s just how I look at it so I don’t stress or worry about what’s what. I made it clear this is where I want to be.”
How the Bulls finished the season and money were thought to be potential obstacles in getting a deal done. But DeRozan sounds like he is well beyond worrying about either issue and simply focused on the end goal.
“The powers that be just need to figure out what needs to happen,” DeRozan said. “Everybody knows my mindset.”
DeRozan can sign a four-year, $179 million contract extension with the Bulls before free agency.
He is in the final year of a three-year, $81.9 million contract the Bulls offered in the 2021 offseason. Some viewed it as a major overpay at the time. DeRozan’s next best offer was for the mid-level exception.
Bulls Get Chance for Revenge
Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas wanted the team to do better this year, but the Bulls ended up winning one less game due to many injuries.
They still have a chance to fulfill Karnisovas’ hope and make up for last season in the next round of the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat.
The expectation is Miami's Jimmy Butler will be out multiple weeks, sources said. Butler remarkably played the final three quarters vs. 76ers last night with what is now feared to be an MCL injury. https://t.co/dEDMAuuXuN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2024
The Bulls were ahead by three points with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter of their 2023 Play-In game against the Heat. However, their offense struggled, and the Heat outscored them 15-1 for the rest of the game.
Bulls players expressed Karnisovas’ feelings, and now they have the opportunity to do well.
