4. DeMar DeRozan
Sign-and-trades are more complicated under the new CBA. Teams over the first or second tax apron cannot complete them if the incoming salary keeps them over. That eliminates several teams from the bidding off the top.
DeRozan and the Bulls have been unable to agree on an extension. Chicago wants to keep the elite scorer but is eying a short-term contract. The 34-year-old is searching for more years. The Bulls are hesitant to give in. DeRozan would be 38 at the end of a four-year pact and likely on the decline with a significant salary.
He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. DeRozan can sign with any team and may explore his options on the open market. Finding premium talent is never easy. There will be interest, and DeRozan gets to make the final decision.
The Chicago Bulls will attempt to pull off a sign-and-trade if DeMar DeRozan decides to leave. It won’t be easy, especially if the team has cap space. The 76ers could just sign DeRozan outright and not give up any assets. Consider a sign-and-trade unlikely, but the deals are getting more plausible at this stage. It is all about finding the right move that works for everyone involved.