For some time, Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan has shown that he wants to stay with the team, but his contract is ending soon.
He has often mentioned that it depends on the money.
As the Bulls get closer to making a decision, and after another disappointing end to the season, it seems the 15-year veteran wants more than just a high salary.
“A source said the Bulls recently offered DeRozan’s representative a two-year deal with a high annual salary, possibly up to $40 million per season,” NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson wrote on April 20. “Right now, DeRozan wants a longer deal, but that [could] just be part of negotiations.”
DeRozan led the NBA in total minutes this season, breaking LeBron James’ record set in 2018 to become the oldest player to do so in NBA history.
He is finishing a three-year, $81.9 million contract that was seen as an overpay..
“As for DeMar, he’s been excellent for us for three years,” Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas told reporters on April 20. “He’s been dedicated to the city of Chicago and has been really great to our young players. So both sides want to continue, so we’ll see what happens in free agency.”
All Eyes on DeMar DeRozan’s Free Agency for Bulls
The six-time All-Star recently spoke openly about his future in Chicago.
“Hate missed opportunities,” DeRozan told reporters after the season-ending loss to the Miami Heat on April 19. “My mind is still the same about wanting to be here. But I just want to win more than anything, just have the opportunity to win.
“I have to go home and see the first round of the playoffs, second round of the playoffs. It’s frustrating.”
Teammate Coby White was also honest about what DeRozan has meant to him and the Bulls.
“That’s my friend, so whatever he wants, I think he should get paid whatever he wants,” White told reporters after the loss to Miami. “It will be important for us to have him back. And me personally, I really want him back.”
DeRozan is eligible to sign a three-year, $130 million contract extension with the Bulls before free agency this offseason.
Bulls Face $172M Elephant in the Room
Bringing him back along with Patrick Williams would push the Bulls over the luxury tax threshold ($172 million). They would have to reduce salaries and Karnisovas said paying the tax only makes sense if they’re a top-four team.
Failed attempts to trade Zach LaVine figure to be revisited this offseason.
But there were lots of almost conflicting statements in Karnisovas’ season-ending comments, including noting that the group had to change.
Bringing back DeRozan and Williams with Nikola Vucevic still under contract for two more years – combined with little to no looming changes to the front office or coaching staff – would seem to point to a similar outcome in 2024-25.
Perhaps that too is behind DeRozan’s reluctance to re-sign despite the mutual interest.
