3) Chicago Bulls veteran star free agent targets: DeMar DeRozan
There’s a real chance that the San Antonio Spurs, and former Toronto Raptors, 6-foot-6 and 220 pound 31-year-old shooting guard DeMar DeRozan could be ready to opt out of his current contract this offseason. This veteran former USC Trojans wing looks to have a few years left of potential All-Star level production and efficiency, which should make him a valuable free agent target if he does not pick up his player option.
DeRozan is due to make just shy of $28 million in the final year of his current contract if he does pick up the player option. But even if he did, the Spurs might look at shipping him out of San Antonio in the not too distant future. DeRozan and former Texas Longhorns power forward LaMarcus Aldridge are the current star duo that the Spurs have in the mix, but the two veterans don’t bring that much longevity for this team.
DeRozan and the Spurs might both be best served to part ways this offseason. This is where the Bulls could come into play. The four-time NBA All-Star selection (including during the 2019-20 season) and two-time All-NBA Team selection had a really nice showing for the Spurs in the season that was. It just wasn’t enough to get them into the playoffs in the bubble at Disney World.
During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, DeRozan played in 68 games with the Spurs (all of which he started in). And he averaged 22.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks. He shot 53.1 percent from the field, 25.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line.
If the Bulls were to pursue DeRozan, if he doesn’t pick up his player option, they need to make sure he is the right fit with how they’re building around their current young core at hand. DeRozan is a high usage player that really lives inside the two-point arc on offense. That’s not the most versatile fit that Karnisovas and Eversley could find in free agency.