DeMar DeRozan will not return to Chicago this fall.
The veteran will head to Sacramento to join the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls, according to a report from ESPN, ending his three-year tenure as a crucial catalyst in Chicago.
It’s the latest major step toward a serious rebuild for the Bulls, who are parting ways with the center trio that has defined the direction of the roster for the past three years. The Bulls have lost the heart of their locker room in the process, as the team embarks on a rebuild around younger players.
The Bulls will receive fourth-year shooting guard Chris Duarte in the trade, along with two second-round picks and cash considerations. Duarte averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 12.2 minutes per game for the Kings last year. He is shooting 34.7 percent from three-point range. Duarte began his career with the Indiana Pacers after being selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 draft. This season is the final year of his rookie contract.
The San Antonio Spurs, another former team of DeRozan’s, facilitated the three-way trade, receiving Harrison Barnes and the final two years of his salary (valued at an annual average of $18 million), which allowed the Kings to accommodate DeRozan under the salary cap.
DeRozan’s new contract will be a three-year deal valued at more than $70 million, according to ESPN.
After joining the Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs in 2021, DeRozan has been a key part of the Bulls’ “Big Three” center field over the past three seasons alongside Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević.
DeRozan has enjoyed a career renaissance in Chicago, earning back-to-back All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023 after a three-year absence during his stint with the Spurs. The early months of his first year with the Bulls were full of promise, as he brought balance to LaVine’s high-flying shooting.
Despite a slight dip in his scoring last season, DeRozan averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists over three seasons in Chicago.
The Bulls did not choose to trade DeRozan during the season despite the fact that he was sitting on an expiring contract and had not reached an extension agreement before the trade deadline.
Letting go of DeRozan also meant giving up the central pillar of identity that defined the Bulls roster over the past three seasons. The veteran was instrumental in locker room leadership and set a standard among his Bulls teammates. He welcomed young players to Los Angeles’ workouts each summer and provided the mentorship that was key to the Bulls’ success over the past three years.
Without DeRozan at the helm, the Bulls will rely on young leaders like Coby White to take control this upcoming season.
News Source : www.chicagotribune.com
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