Bulls Rumors: DeMar DeRozan trade talks picking up steam

With no draft picks and extremely limited cap space at their disposal, I can’t exactly say I’m surprised to see more attention than usual diverted to the trade block as the Chicago Bulls look to overhaul their roster this summer. Although making trades and shaking up the roster is understandable given their poor performance last season, it’s still a shock to see the Bulls’ best player in DeMar DeRozan being the subject matter of which players need to be sent packing.

Bulls beat writer Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic discussed the need for the Bulls to begin considering moving on from their star forward DeRozan during his latest podcast with NBC Sports’ Bulls Talk. Fresh off two stellar seasons and entering the final year of his contract, this will be Chicago’s last opportunity to sell high on DeRozan to a championship contender.

It may seem counter-intuitive to trade away your best player if the goal is to win more games next season, but for the Bulls, it may be the best option they have at their disposal. For far too long, this team has failed to adapt to the modern NBA and construct a roster that’s built to win in today’s era of basketball.

As supremely talented as he is, DeRozan has proven time and time again he’s not the player that will lead your team to the promised land. That’s why looking elsewhere and dealing DeRozan away for the best deal available is the best move the Chicago Bulls could possibly make this summer.

https://twitter.com/NBCSBulls/status/1666067421751566336?s=20

If the Bulls are serious about retooling the roster this summer, trading away DeMar DeRozan may actually be their best route to improving.

There’s been a lot of talk on just what exactly the Bulls could get in return for DeMar. After two consecutive All-Star selections and even an All-NBA nomination in 2022, DeRozan has done a great deal to improve his trade value while in the Windy City. Still, I think it would be foolish to get our hopes up too high for a massive haul. For example, one report that’s floated around the rumor mill is the possibility of trading up for the No. 3 pick from Portland.

While it would be wise to take advantage of a team seemingly desperate to go all-in around Damian Lillard, I don’t really think it’s feasible for the Bulls to get that pick (and another quality player to match salaries) without sending out Zach LaVine as the main trade piece. This much is especially true when the Trail Blazers appear to have their hearts set on younger stars like Toronto’s Pascal Siakam or Boston’s Jaylen Brown, I just don’t believe any offer around DeRozan would be enticing enough for Portland to cough up the rights to the third overall pick.

Instead, I think the Bulls would be better served negotiating with a team stuck in the middle and looking for a veteran to get an extra leg up on the competition. Sacramento, Memphis, and New York all immediately come to mind here. If the Bulls were able to secure a solid role player or two — preferably ones that can reliably shoot the three-ball — and adequate draft compensation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team make a quick return to relevance.

One thing’s for sure, things are going to get a whole lot worse if indecision continues to plague the decision-makers in the front office. By admitting their mistakes now, however, Chicago has a real opportunity to get this team back on track and once again start winning games more often than not. Considering how great DeRozan has been for the Bulls, it’s a shame to see him made into the sacrificial lamb here. I sincerely hope he one day lays claim to a championship ring, I just highly doubt that moment will ever come with this current core on the Bulls.