DeMar DeRozan didn’t end his season with the best results. The Chicago Bulls were knocked from the NBA play-in by the Miami Heat. During the game, DeRozan gave a solid 22-point effort, but it wasn’t enough to bring his team a win. This season, the veteran will be entering free agency. This will give him a chance to explore his options and perhaps land with a team that has a higher chance at a title. So, will he stay with the Bulls, or is it time to move on?
It’s believed that the Bulls still have an interest in bringing the vet back for a few more years. He’s probably their best chance at making it to the playoffs next season. However, it’s not up to them. If DeRozan gets a better offer elsewhere, then he’ll probably take it.
The Risks and The Rewards
The Chicago Bulls’ season was not a good one. It started out very rocky, and they lost Zach LaVine to injury early on. However, DeRozan was a constant for the team with his 24.0 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 5.3 assists per game. He may be older, but he’s still playing with consistency. One of the rewards of resigning DeRozan is knowing that he’s the type of player who can hit every single time. Another big one is you’re keeping an experienced vet in your locker room who will continue to be a strong influence on your younger players.
However, there are risks in this resigning as well. One of them is the fact that DeRozan probably won’t be playing for much longer. By letting him go, the Bulls could have the chance to fill his shoes with a younger player that they can build around. Also, DeRozan hasn’t turned this Bulls team into a contender. This isn’t completely his fault, but Chicago has fallen short for a few years now, and since he’s been here, they’ve missed the playoffs and lost in round one. It might be time for Chicago to actually try for a title, which might include finding a new number-one guy.
Options for the Chicago Bulls Forward
There are plenty of teams who could probably use a vet like DeMar DeRozan. One of these teams includes the Philadelphia 76ers. After they got kicked from the playoffs early on, it was clear that they’d be making moves in the offseason. I fully believe they are looking to sign a free agent like DeRozan or make a move for Brandon Ingram.
This 76ers team should not be offering Tobias Harris any money this season. They need to clear up some space and open the door for a player who will stay awake in the playoffs. If they can sign a solid center and bring on DeRozan, chances are they’ll be contending again. They need a backup plan for a Joel Embiid injury and a forward who is known for some consistency. DeMar DeRozan, though older, could be that guy.
Miami Heat Could Sign DeMar DeRozan
Right now, it’s looking like the Miami Heat could be trading Jimmy Butler this offseason. This will be a pretty big deal and they’ll get some decent players out of it. However, they could add Ingram to the mix as well. Miami has a young and hungry team with players like Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. giving the team a bright future. If Butler goes, adding a veteran player with a deadly midrange game could be just what they need.
The point is, the Heat have a fare number of young players. They could be getting even more with a Butler trade. So, bringing in an older player who’s slowing down a little bit won’t put a hole in their roster. I really think DeMar DeRozan could be a very good fit in Miami.
About the Author
Elizabeth is an avid watcher of all things sports. However, the Boston sports teams will always be her number one. Her favorite sport to watch is basketball, but she also enjoys professional wrestling, soccer, and baseball. She also loves writing about anything ranging from sports articles to short stories and poems. She hopes to one day write her own sci-fi series and adventure series. You can find her on X @edellapiana1 to check out more content.
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