Free agent wing DeMar DeRozan is expected to sign a three-year, $85MM contract with the Bulls, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links).
According to Charania, the Bulls and Spurs are finalizing a sign-and-trade deal that will send DeRozan to Chicago in exchange for Thaddeus Young, a future first-round pick, and two second-round picks. Al-Farouq Aminu will go to San Antonio in the deal too, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Wojnarowski also provides the details on the draft picks headed to the Spurs, reporting (via Twitter) that the future first-round pick will convey in 2025 at the earliest, since the Bulls owe their 2023 first-rounder to Orlando. The second-rounders Chicago is sending to San Antonio are the Lakers’ 2022 pick and the Bulls’ own 2025 pick, Woj adds.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter links), who first reported DeRozan was nearing a deal with Chicago, says his three-year deal will be fully guaranteed.
It’s a fascinating turn of events for the Bulls and for DeRozan, who had reportedly been planning to meet with the Clippers despite their limited cap flexibility. Because acquiring a player via sign-and-trade hard-caps a team at the tax apron, a sign-and-trade for DeRozan likely wasn’t an option for the Clippers, who project to be taxpayers.
However, the Bulls, who had already agreed to acquire Lonzo Ball via sign-and-trade and had two sizeable – and expendable – expiring contracts belonging to Young and Aminu, were in a far better position to make DeRozan an aggressive offer. And they did just that, agreeing to a deal that will add DeRozan to a core that now includes Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Ball.
While DeRozan’s lack of a three-point shot (he has made 35 in the last three seasons) is an oddity for a wing in the modern NBA, his mid-range game is deadly and he has become a legitimately dangerous play-maker, averaging a career-best 6.9 assists per game in 2020/21. Opponents will have a tough time stopping lineups featuring him, LaVine, and Vucevic, though it won’t be the most stout group defensively.
Based on their reported moves, the Bulls still have about $19.5MM in breathing room below the tax and $26MM below the hard cap, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who notes (via Twitter) that the team still holds Lauri Markkanen‘s Bird rights.
The Spurs, who have free agent deals in place with Zach Collins and Doug McDermott, still have about $6MM in projected cap space to work with, Marks adds.
Bulls are still bad lol.
Bulls have VuC and guards all around … I first Heard Bulls wanted deRozan on a Markanen S&T … Spurs are involved in pretty bad deals so far
Spurs going young rebuild they not winning championship with Derozen alone and because super teams over cap ,Derozen stuck with bulls team that should be good enough get top 4 east and if they not top 4 they stuck over paid contracts next few years.
Top 4? Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, Nets, Hawks, Heat…..Seriously?
You can remove the Celtics and add the Bulls in there..But they do need some extra front court depth now..
Now, they ONLY have Williams, Vucevic, and Felicio..Technically they still have Lauri, but I’m sure he’s gone now too..
Felicio is no longer a Bull.
felicio is a free agent and should be resigned
Felicia is a travesty and should be ground up and made into sausage
celtics haven’t really improved, sixers team is broken and depends on an injury prone player
bucks, nets if healthy, hawks and then bulls and heat
Yeah seriously
Celtics. That’s funny.
your comment is worse lol
I didn’t think the Bulls had the balls but this is perfect for them. If they can keep White and Markkanen too that’s an automatic top 4 seed next couple years.
I’m really surprised they were able to keep Markanen
Agreed
Bulls are better than Celtics
I don’t buy Horford and Richardson things
Possible top 4 seed? Yes. Automatic? No way.
Philly, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Atlanta, NY, Boston, Charlotte. The Bulls could be better than some of them, but it is in no way automatic by just adding Lonzo and DeRozan.
Although I have to admit, I would love to see a Chicago v Charlotte play in game next year for the 7 seed. I’m not a fan of the Ball family, but it would be interesting to see them in a winner take all match up.
Add Miami to your list. Sorry. This is not a top 4 team yet
I knew I was forgetting some team. Although I am not as high on Miami as some. I think they more or less just got hot during the bubble and looked a lot better than they actually were.
They are definitely better than Atlanta, NY, Boston and Charlotte
So you think adding a PG from the 11 seed in the West and a PF from the 10 seed in the West will somehow make the 11 seed in the East better than the 4, 5, 7, and 9 seeds in the East?
I disagree.
I hope your smart enough to know that isn’t how it work, or maybe not. I’m loving that we have haters now though, Bulls in the big time now :)
I hope you’re smart enough to know the difference between your and you’re, or maybe not.
See what I did there. :)
Anyway, my point is that yes it pretty much is how it works. Never in the history of the game has a losing team added two players that led other losing teams and become a top 4 team. It won’t happen. Could they make the playoffs? Sure. But they are not a top 4 team in the East. Not even on paper.
Hit me with the spelling and grammer insults. I love that, I mean it’s so important lol. Dude if the best player is on a bad team they will suck, that’s the whole reason that your argument is hollow. But tell me know I spellled a word wrong, ignorance is bliss.
Im agreed with hiflew.its possible not automatic.im bulls fan,i love if they get the 4th seed.love lonzo and derozan sign and trade.next is lavine extention.
Maybe Markkanen ends up signing the qualifying offer. I don’t think anyone still has cap room except maybe the Thunder.
Spurs and Thunder
Spurs just took on 24 million in contracts from the Bulls via Aminu 10 mill and Thad 14 mill
Mavs do
Markkanen and KP together sounds like a disaster.
More like a 6-8 seed range…but they could be a lot of fun (and trouble) if Billy can get them to gel
Lmaoo no it’s not. They haven’t even made the playoffs the last few seasons, what makes your bonk they’re automatically a top 4 seed?? This teams ceiling is very low. It won’t work. Typical Bulls
Lol Clippers
Clippers had no chance. DeRozan was not going to take the MLE when he could get almost $30MM a year with Chicago. And the Clips did not have enough ammo to beat the Bulls offer.
Demar was in the meeting with the Clips and texted his agent like “nah” haha
He spent 5 minutes with Marcus Morris and that was enough to run far away.
AK-55, the next JJ, strikes again. Not crazy about the Ball signing, but at least they gave up no real assets. This plugs the facilitation deficit, that was there to start with, but that Ball didn’t help as you would think a big $$ FA PG would.
DDR played mostly at the 4 last year, with the ball in his hands. He and Williams are both combo’s. Real good starting 5.
LaVines still going to be the main ball handler Ball’s their as a strong defender to help cover for LaVine on defense and be the secondary creator. I do so much wanna see some Ball to LaVine alley oops in transition.
If the Knicks and Hawks can take the 4 and 5 seeds in the East last year there’s no reason on paper the Bulls shouldn’t be in the mix for seeds 4-7 next year.
Doubt the first part. Unless they liked last year’s offense. LaVine, as the main facilitator, was a big part of the problem last year. You’re main facilitator can’t also be your main scorer unless his basketball IQ is at Harden levels. LaVine’s isn’t. Ball signing confused me, in part, because it didn’t really addresses the facilitation issue except on the margin. Now, it all makes sense. Ball is a good fit.
Actually DeRozan has been growing as a distributor. Had almost 7 APG last year.
Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if DDR was the de facto PG next year, flanked by Vooch, LaVine, and Ball.
It’s the role he essentially played in SA, and it makes sense logistically as well, having your worst 3p shooter initiate the offense
I like the moves the Bulls have made. I think they’ll be a lot better. Lavine, DeRozan and Ball with the other young talent they have. Not a championship team but they can for sure make the playoffs.
Totally expected Markkanen to end up in SA. Big surprise here
Still can…
I don’t know. Still in need of a big that can rim protect. Show me that add, and this is a damn solid group. Middle of the pack playoff teams in the East
So much for wanting to play for a ring. Only way Bulls come out of the East is the the Nets, Bucks, and Sixers are all hurt. Get your last big pay day.
So you think the Bulls were going to assemble a Finals team. OK Leonardo ……
For a 21 mill pay raise I cant blame him –
Touch surprised he got this much- was thinking more of the 22-23 AAV range
Chi is interesting today, couldn’t have said that 48 hrs ago
He made 28 last year. He’s probably taking a pay cut in 21-22.
Same – given age and lack of a 3p shot I saw DDR landing somewhere between 20-25.
Then again maybe that meeting with LA made CHI up the offer to just get it done.
Chicago has to be aggressive with the offers especially when they haven’t proven anything and aren’t located in LA.
Bulls got better for sure. Depends on Ball growing up and becoming an adult. Don’t LaVine and DeRozan play the same position SG. Fact they keep Markkanen. I’d say it looks real good on paper. Let’s see how it really works. Nice to see teams upgrading. Lot of movement this yr. It’s going to be a fun year
How could the Knicks not make a better offer for either Ball or DeRozan in a trade?
Why would you want either.
DeRozan can and has played SF. I would imagine he will play the 3 most of the time.
Ball/LaVine/DeRozan/P.Williams/Vucevic is how I figure the starting lineup will look. Unless they re-sign Markkanen. Then Williams is probably a bench guy.
The one guy that gets screwed in this deal is Coby White. He better hope for a trade or he will be relegated to a 6th man at best.
He actually played all last year (and much of the prior one) at PF. I doubt he ever suits up without 2 guards (other than him) on the court.
Copy White is perfect for a 6th man, spark plug off the bench type of role. Him, Ayo, and Caruso are three excellent additions to the Bulls bench. Also, signing Ethan Thompson as an UDFA wasn’t a bad pickup either.
This team is slowly but surely getting alot deeper and more talented rounding into form. Now, they need to figure out what they’re going to do with Markkanen, and if they’re going to trade him, they’re going to need a replacement 4 and a backup 5, besides Felicio..(gross)!! lol
Lavine and Derozan can play the SF. It’s just a title in the NBA.
There are not 6 teams that are better that’s laughable
Bucks, nets, 76ers are better
Celtics, heat, Hawks should be better
The bulls have inches towards the 7-9 spots most likely. I don’t mean that as a Knock, they are more oldest sons favorite team. I think they will be tough and fun, but likely still not a 2nd round playoff team…without a couple of more moves
76ers arer an injury away from being mediocre though and we still don’t know what will happen with simmons so there\s uncertainty around thembucks, nets if healthy and hawks probably better (although hawks might get back to pre-nate standards just as easily)
celtics havent really improved and they were bad last year
I would say 4-5 spot for bulls
Sure we know. Simmons will be traded in exchange for 3-4 All Star starters. Along with 14 future 1st round picks and the first born son of all front office members. At least in Morey’s mind that is how it will work anyway.
God it feels so good to have a competent front office. GarPax would’ve never done any of this. Even if it doesn’t work as well in practice as it looks on paper it’s still damn impressive how much talent AK has accumulated in just 15 months
Dunno if it will all work, but there’s some serious talent in Chi-town now, and unlike a lot of teams when they go crazy acquiring people in the off-season, the pieces fit. Ball-LaVine-DeRozan-Markkanen-Vucevic is big and good. Caruso and others on bench. On paper it’s a top 4 team in East.
Top 4 in the East? There are at least six or seven teams that are still better.
I’m surpises you didn’t say there are 16 better teams…
Nope. Just nope.
HOW does this guy get the same contract as Lowry??! Chicago may be a playoff tesm, but they will never contend with their signings.
I’d much rather have DeRozan over Fournier
I don’t know how much better Lowry is than DeRozan. They’re very different, but both very good. And Lowry’s 4 years older.
They are as good or better than Miami right now, ans younger in the talent
What are “Bird rights”?
If a player stays with a team for a number of years, the team can use his “Bird Rights” to go over the cap to keep him. Named after Larry Bird.
They didn’t improve much last year after adding Vucevic. I see no reason adding two average players is going to help.
The issue is building around LaVine. Only incompetents would
Lavine got hurt and Vuc had to find his mojo Inna New roster
Derozan is a better than average player. Ball on this team is a better than average player based on fit. This is how you build a roster.
Trash
its ironic floridaman calling something trash
That’s why I think LaVine moves. If you’re as good as he says he is you’ve scored in the playoffs.
Great job by the Bull´s front-office. Ball, DeRozan and Caruso. Wow. Fun team to watch.
Awww the Bulls think they’re a NBA team.
Your shot, just pathetic
The Bulls have more titles in their history than either of the Florida teams do combined. Gtfoh
I actually like what the spurs are doing.
Lonzo and Lavine are going to be insane to watch, with DeMar they could make a surprise Conference Finals appearance next season.
Now the Bulls just need to sign Baynes, and then replace Lauri, if they aren’t going to keep him..
Do that, and then call it one heck of an off-season!!
Have I mentioned I LOVE this new Bulls front office!! Even if their moves don’t work out, at least they gave it a real shot, unlike the previous regime!!!
the ideal player would be myles turner, but its impossible to get him
from the lower tier centers I was thinking about baynes as well but there are a couple other players that suit our need for a defnesive big better like ed davis and harry giles
especially ed davis is pretty similar to javale mcgee that many people like around here
naz reid on the other hand is pretty similar to aron baynes in terms of defensive stats
This is a switch … Cubs selling and Bulls buying
Honestly I’m so happy with how this team has come together that I don’t even care about the haters, honestly it’s nice to have enough talent that were getting hated on again, it’s been too long
So much for Derozan being a lock in Miami with his old buddy Kyle Lowry
I’m a bit late but I love this signing. We haven’t had a mid range guy since deng. We just need a backup center and that’s it. This roster is better than the C’s. Bucks, Nets, 76ers, Heat are top 4, after that it’s Hawks, Bulls, NYK and Charlotte/Indy. We needed a PG who could push the ball and also a bucket when LaVine is resting. Been a Bulls fan since I was four and this is the best free agency signing period they ever had. No more Boozer’s/Dunleavy/Korver of the world. Refreshing to see a team THIS historic finally is living up to their brand. We’re not the Clippers or Nuggets or Pacers. Not a title team but a 2nd round exit is what I’m expecting next year. Offensively we should be less stagnant and more cutting and transition type offense. I’m hyped for next year. Get another stretch 4 or trade White and Mark for Aaron Gordon or MB3 and we are climbing up on the ladder.
Total overpay by Chicago. Maybe making the playoffs is that important to them. He’s gonna be 32 in a few days and not an all nba or all star, and paying nearly 30 mil is too much. Maybe use his contract as an expiring deal in that final year.
We’re happy to make the playoffs, we can easily argue were a top 4-6 team for the first time in a long time. We can point to the fact that we have plenty of youth. At the end of the day team is better fans are happy, so IDK if he really should have only made 20 and got 28 who cares we had no other viable targets for the money and we’re the best we have been since Derrick Rose won his MVP.
That is 4-6 in the East, again were so happy with those baby steps. Bulls have one of the largest most dedicated fan bases in the world and have been losing so long, it’s a new day in Chicago that’s what matters to us.
Exactly. This roster is the best since 2015 with Butler/Rose/Gasol/Noah etc. It’s all about showing the future NBA free agents that Chicago is regarded as a popular NBA destination as well. Players talk to each other and I’m sure a lot of players want to play for Donovan and AK. Low key I wouldn’t mind dealing for Beal, given his history with Donovan at Florida. I know we would have to offer Lavine but that’s okay. Problem is that we would need to give up Williams, but I rather give up White, and we don’t have as many future picks as we did before. Washington would want immediate players who can help them compete with a whole new coaching staff. Ugh.
Honestly I’d rather see what these guys have. Lavine is younger Beal and it wouldn’t be a straight up swap, like you said we’d have to give up Williams and maybe more to get it done, and I don’t feel like Beal is worth it. Beal has proven he can’t win anything without a significant amount of talent around him, he is really good but not that good.
Well everything I had been saying about them kind of goes out the window. Personally dont understand this for a few reasons. I just dont see the fit, unless they’re considering him a 3 and D wing lol, but that is the furthest from his description you can probably go. They also really hurt their depth at the 4, and still keed a backup pick and roll defending big, who can 0r9tect the rim
Drozen is a low key top passer, one of the best slashers, has a great mid-range game and is a decent enough defender while providing more size. It works like a charm.