While the entire NBA zigged in one direction by building their teams around three-point shooters, the Bulls zagged when they signed DeMar DeRozan in the summer of 2021. Fortunately for the Bulls, that signing has worked out much better than expected, as DeRozan had a career resurgence since coming to Chicago. DeRozan is in the second year of his three-year contract, which was worth nearly $82 million in total. DeRozan is still guaranteed for another season, but it’s likely both the Bulls and DeRozan will ink an extension this summer.

“Here’s the other thing about DeMar, he’s extension eligible this summer. You don’t have to extend him since he’s guaranteed through next year, but you can bet that he’s going to look to be extended this summer. He’s playing out of this world and headed almost certainly towards another All-Star selection. He’s in the conversation for another All-NBA selection. You’re going to be balancing that this summer, and what’s the ceiling for this core?” – KC Johnson

DeMar DeRozan Extension Value

After coming off an invisible three years in San Antonio, DeRozan took the best deal on the table in the summer of 2021 when he signed a three-year contract with the Bulls. Ideally, a player of DeRozan’s caliber typically signs a four-year max deal when signing with a new team. The Bulls lucked out by signing him at a discounted price, but that soon will change as DeRozan has proven his talents have not diminished. NBC Sports Chicago says DeRozan’s extension is valued at $155 million over four years. Although it’s not Zach LaVine type money, it brings him into the tier among one of the highest-paid players in the league. As of right now, DeRozan is on pace to make another trip to the All-Star game with another All-NBA selection.

In DeRozan’s two seasons with the Bulls, he’s averaging 27.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 4.9 APG, arguably the best individual player in Bulls history since Michael Jordan. It’s not a hard decison for the Bulls to extend DeRozan, but that doesn’t necessairly mean he’ll remain with the team at the end of his contract.

DeRozan has been in and out of trade rumors this season given the sour start to the season for the Bulls. He also happens to be the best trade asset on the team which can net them the largest return. Even if DeRozan signs a contract this summer, the Bulls still have the flexibiity to press restart on their team and collect as many assets as possible in a potential DeRozan trade.