All-Star Bulls small forward DeMar DeRozan is eligible for a four-year contract extension worth up to $179MM, prompting K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago to consider the case for Chicago’s retention of the 34-year-old wing.
Across his two seasons with the Bulls, DeRozan has posted impressive regular season averages of 26.2 PPG, 5.0 APG and 4.9 RPG. Chicago returned to the playoffs in one of those two seasons, falling in five quick games to the Bucks in 2022.
Johnson believes that the Bulls might want to consider keeping DeRozan on a deal closer to Khris Middleton‘s new three-year, $102MM agreement with Milwaukee, and wonders if the three-time All-NBA honoree and Chicago could come to terms on a new contract that would make both sides happy.
There’s more out of the East:
- Three-and-D Pacers center Myles Turner is hoping to elevate his shooting to an elite level this season. The 6’11” big man indicated in a new conversation with hosts Alex Golden and Michael Facci on their Setting The Pace podcast (h/t to Tony East of All Pacers for the transcription) that he wants to join the 50/40/90 shooting club, something few players in league history have ever done. “Working on multiple things,” Turner said. “Obviously, still improving my shot. Get my numbers up there. I really strive to be like a 50/40/90 guy… I think it’s possible… a lofty goal at that, but something I know I’m capable of doing.” In 2022/23, Turner averaged 18.0 PPG on .548/.373/.783 shooting splits, along with 7.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.4 APG and 0.6 SPG. He has never shot better than 80.9% from the charity stripe in a single season, or better than 38.8% on three-pointers.
- The revamped Nets are hoping that former All-Star point guard Ben Simmons can return to his winning ways. Simmons was out of the team’s rotation by the end of the year. Per Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily, a recent site survey shows that a majority of fans (62%) are optimistic Simmons will be the club’s starting point guard in April. 87% of Brooklyn fans are also convinced that the team will win more than 38 contests in 2023/24.
- Clippers reserve guard Norman Powell recently looked back on the 2021 trade that sent him from the Raptors to the Trail Blazers (Twitter video link via Basketball On X). “I didn’t want to leave Toronto,” Powell revealed. “I wanted to stay. The core that we had with Fred [VanVleet], Pascal [Siakam], OG [Anunoby], me, could’ve been what Boston Celtics are today.”
For a center to pull off those shooting splits. Would be incredible. Go for it. I like Turner. Don’t get why Pacers are always trading him.
I have said this since he was drafted. Ben is not Magic. So don’t let him play the point. He is best as a hybrid Forward. Can play either. He should rebound. Post the ball and push the ball as a forward. He’s too quick n fast for 4s. And he’s too strong for 3s. And he can still get his 6 ast a gm. He can play the 4 with Cam at 3. And he can play the 3 with Clowney. Nothing happens unless his head is right. He does need to dominate. We are ALL waiting …….
But Al, Turner has been in the league for 8 seasons and the Pacers have literally never traded him.
Ben isn’t Magic but he’s as close as the NBA has today. He is a true PG and is the only position he will thrive at.
The main difference between him and Magic is confidence. Magic had enough for ten men. Ben just needs to get out of his own way.
He’s a better defender than Magic.
And, like Magic, he doesn’t have a jumper and doesn’t need one to dominate.
Simmons isn’t anywhere close to Magic and LeBron or Luka are the closest we have today. It’s hard to say if Simmons would dominate with a jumper, he’s never had a jumper nor has he ever dominated.
LeBron is not Magic, he is far beyond him and the most complete basketball player to ever play. Luka’s game couldn’t be any more different than Magic’s.
Ben is not Magic though he has all the physical tools, but lacks the most important quality that defined Magic: confidence.
If one goes back and watches Ben play in ‘19-‘20 season when he made all NBA, on the court he went anywhere he wanted and got to the basket with ease. He played defense at a high level as well.
His head and his back kept him from being further along in his game as of now, but if his back is as healthy as he says, and if his readiness to dominate is legit and not bravado, then I look forward to seeing him play.
Remember, he is still 27.
Doesn’t matter what number you call him – he’s gonna play the same way. He’s not gonna guard point guards and no point guard is gonna guard him. He’ll push, post, get downhill… won’t matter what number he’s called.
Yeah but those are rumors. They haven’t traded him and signed him to an extension.
Norman Powell is not in touch with reality
Norm would of course take the place of Tatum.
I’m rooting for you Dennis Smith. Trade Simmons to Philadelphia for Harden or to Orlando for whatever. Minnesota for Conley for Simmons. Trade him to NY for Fournier and…