The deal was made official for the Chicago Bulls acquiring star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs on the afternoon of Aug. 11. The Bulls originally had the move announced in the media that the team would be signing DeRozan during the week of the free agency negotiation window, specifically on Aug. 4.
What the Bulls gave up to get the veteran DeRozan included veteran forward Thaddeus Young, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, two second-round draft picks, and a future first-round draft pick. That was a lot for executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley to give up to get DeRozan.
But if the main goal at hand for Karnisovas, Eversley, and the Bulls is now to get over that postseason hump, then giving up this much in a sign-and-trade to land DeRozan makes sense.
DeRozan was one of the best free agents available this summer. And he definitely will help the Bulls finally get over that postseason hump to snap the four-year-long drought in Chicago.
DeMar DeRozan likes a lot about what he’ll get with the Chicago Bulls
Moreover, it’s not only Bulls fans that appear to be excited about DeRozan joining this team this year. DeRozan reportedly (per Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic on Twitter on Aug. 10) loves a lot of aspects about what he’ll get as a member of the Bulls heading into next season.
Just spoke to DeMar DeRozan about why he joined the Bulls:
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) August 11, 2021
“The talent. Obviously great city. Great organization. The history behind it is definitely amazing. But for sure the talent. Looking at players like Zach. I’ve been a fan of Zach since he’s been in the league… (1/2)
DeRozan noted that he joined the Bulls because of “the talent”, this “great city”, and the “great organization”. Namely, it is important to see that DeRozan loves “the talent” that he’ll be a part of with the Bulls heading into next season.
He tabbed that he’s really excited to be part of a team that includes star shooting guard Zach LaVine. And DeRozan said that he’s “been a fan of Zach since he’s been in the league”.
It’s good to hear the excitement coming from DeRozan to join the Bulls. While it is still odd for Bulls fans to hear about a star that is excited to join this team, Karnisovas and Eversley are ushering in a new era of NBA basketball in Chicago.
DeRozan brings quite the pedigree to the Bulls himself from his time with the Spurs and Toronto Raptors. He’s a 12 year vet that has four All-Star selections and two All-NBA Team selections under his belt.
Head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls are now in the midst of the Las Vegas Summer League slate, following a comeback win over the Spurs on Aug. 10. Next up for the Bulls in Summer League is a meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Aug. 12.