Another underwhelming season has concluded in the Windy City. Winning just 39 games and falling to Miami in the second Play-In game, the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
Injuries and other concerns were certainly a factor, but it has been increasingly frustrating that the Bulls cannot find a way to win consistently in what is unquestionably the weaker conference in the NBA. Now, important decisions are on the horizon with the offseason officially here.
The Bulls' Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Arturas Karnisovas, spoke with media following the conclusion of the season. He stressed his understanding that the current group they have will not work, and vowed to make changes.
This will certainly be uplifting for Bulls fans to hear, but a much more troubling piece of information looms large. While Chicago appears ready to move on from the likes of Zach LaVine, they are apparently still seeking a reunion with DeMar DeRozan. The real kicker? According to a source, the team has already offered him a massive new two-year deal, valued at upwards of $40 million per year.
"This group hasn't worked"
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 20, 2024
That's Bulls exec VP Artūras Karnišovas, who took accountability for an underwhelming season and vowed changes and action moving forward.
For @NBCSChicago: https://t.co/keLISB7g8w
The Bulls are ready to offer DeMar DeRozan a huge payday
Many suspected Bulls management may finally be starting to see the light and would be open to trading away their star-level players to lean into a full rebuild. But with this new report, it seems management may be about to make one of the biggest mistakes possible.
At his press conference, Karnisovas cited the team's love for DeMar as a locker room guy and an off-court leader as their main reasons of interest in a new deal for him. He also indicated that interest between the two parties is mutual.
Of course, Karnisovas' words do not mean that a deal is all but complete. Negotiations in the offseason can still take a long time and problems can of course be encountered. For example, DeRozan is reportedly seeking a longer-term deal.
But all in all, this is not a great sign for the Bulls. The NBA is a business first, and inking DeMar to such a hefty new contract would be a very questionable business decision. The aging star will be 35 years old by the start of next season, and he would almost certainly hinder the team's ability to complete a successful rebuild.
Sure, having veterans around in the twilight of their careers can prove extremely valuable to young players coming in looking for leadership. But to completely break the bank for a player who is still a highly capable scorer means he will still demand playing time that could ultimately take opportunity away from young talent. The Bulls would do best to think twice before offering DeMar such a huge new contract.