DeMar DeRozan is in the midst of a season with the Chicago Bulls that is eerily reminiscent of his final year with the San Antonio Spurs.
The 34-year-old is averaging 21.9 points per game, right on par with the numbers he put up in 2020, albeit while shooting an uncharacteristically low (for him) 46.1 percent from the field.
While DeRozan still has a ton in the tank, it doesn’t feel like Chicago is the right place for him anymore.
The Bulls are on the verge of making a big trade that will blow up the entire roster, and a veteran like DeRozan belongs on more of a championship-contending squad.
It feels like a foregone conclusion that DeRozan will get moved somewhere ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.
The question now is just where precisely that ‘somewhere’ will end up being.
According to NBA insider Sam Amico, three teams have quietly emerged as frontrunners for DeRozan’s services.
“Right now, it is not believed the Bulls are shopping him, but things could change, as others are undoubtedly interested. That list includes the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Miami Heat, sources told Hoops Wire,” he wrote.
In addition to those three options, DeRozan has also frequently been mentioned as a possible target for the Los Angeles Lakers.
DeRozan himself has expressed interest in joining one of two possible squads.
One way or another, it is increasingly looking like DeRozan isn’t long for Chicago.
He had a nice little stint with the Bulls, including one year where he was a legit MVP contender – but it is time for all parties involved to move on for good.
Where will the Bulls ultimately end up trading DeRozan when everything is said and done? Time will tell.
Related: Warriors, Pelicans Linked To Blockbuster Trade
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
