The Chicago Bulls have indicated a clear direction thus far with their off-season moves. It started by trading Alex Caruso for guard Josh Giddey from Oklahoma City. Giddey is 21 years old and entering his fourth season. Next came drafting 19-year-old Matas Buzelis 11th overall. Now their first big move of free agency was signing 24-year-old center Jalen Smith. If it wasn’t obvious before, there is no longer any confusion that the Bulls are enacting a youth movement. That leaves the status of 34-year-old star DeMar DeRozan up in the air.
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, DeRozan has already made the decision. The Caruso trade was the clearest signal that the organization was going in a different direction, and he’d rather not be a part of it at this stage of his career.
A source told the Sun-Times late Sunday night that the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey trade was the final straw in DeRozan’s mind for any sort of return, as the 34-year-old will now use his free agency to shop elsewhere.
Not that it comes a surprise to either side, since the season ended in a play-in loss to Miami back in April, but the door initially remained wide open for weeks. But with several coaching changes that were made, as well as some other behind-the-scenes personnel decisions, DeRozan was quickly having second thoughts.
The hammer was dropped with Caruso being shipped out for Giddey, letting DeRozan know he was not in the Bulls’ plans moving forward and really no longer wanted to be.
This isn’t a huge surprise. Chicago is nowhere close to title contention. DeRozan would prefer to go somewhere he has a chance to get a ring. Recent rumors suggest one of the Los Angeles teams could be his new destination, with the Clippers being the current favorites after losing Paul George to Philadelphia.
Expect a likely DeMar DeRozan sign and trade soon.
The question is what Arturas Karnisovas would be seeking in return. It would likely either be a younger player that fits the current trajectory the Bulls are aiming for or a future 1st round pick. If it’s the latter, the Lakers would have the advantage. The Clippers don’t have a 1st round pick again until 2030 due to various trades over the past couple of years. The Lakers have one in 2026. As for young players, that depends on what the Bulls are looking for. Do they seek more guard help, or is another forward on their radar? Ivica Zubac from the Clippers and Austin Reaves of the Lakers would be interesting.
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Everything depends on how those other teams perceive DeMar DeRozan. Last year suggested he remains the consistent playmaker he’s been for a long time, averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Either LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard would love to have such a presence on the floor with them to challenge Dallas for the Western Conference crown. What matters is how much the Chicago Bulls can get in return. Whatever it takes to help set up their future.
