DeMar DeRozan Addresses Rumors of Future Before Bulls Face 76ers

On Monday, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls will battle it out against each other for the first time this season. The matchup falls in place with an interesting time for the Bulls, as they are at the center of NBA trade rumors.

With the Bulls struggling to meet expectations last season by missing the playoffs, they were already viewed as a potential firesale candidate in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2023-2024 NBA season. Since the Bulls possess several talented players who are on a win-now timeline, many believed that a struggling Bulls team could lead to them becoming sellers before the trade deadline.

At this point in the season, the Bulls place 12th in the Eastern Conference. They rank just ahead of the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons. As a result of their 10-17 record, the Bulls are a team to watch as the trade market forms, and DeMar DeRozan is a player who is at the forefront of those rumors.

What They’re Saying About DeRozan…

At age 34, DeRozan isn’t in a position to waste time. Being in the NBA since 2009, the star forward has yet to accomplish the goal of winning an NBA title. Typically, a six-time All-Star without a championship resume would like to see his way out of a losing situation the moment it’s become clear that a title shot is out of the question.

Rumors and reports going around indicate that DeRozan is the Bulls player who’s most likely on the move before the 2024 trade deadline. According to a report, DeRozan prefers the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers as potential landing spots if a deal comes to life.

What’s DeRozan Saying Back?

An NBA player would have to be very frustrated to confirm having a trade interest publicly. DeRozan is clearly far from that level, as he denies having an interest in moving on.

“I understand what comes with having a rough season or rumors, and that speculation is going to come up everywhere. It comes with this profession. Same with my contract. I’ve never demanded or stated, made accusations, ‘I want this, I need this, I deserve this.’ I just go out and play and let the chips fall where they fall. Tend to my teammates and be the best version of myself that I can be,” DeRozan said recently, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Bulls are far away from a feud with DeRozan, who is focused on helping them get on the right path after a slow start to the year. That doesn’t guarantee DeRozan’s in Chicago for the long haul, however. While Cowley added that DeRozan and the Bulls are mutually “open to a new contract,” the talks are currently stalled.

Since DeRozan is on an expiring contract and would hit the market as an unrestricted free agent next summer, it might be in the Bulls’ best interest to gain some assets that fit their timeline better while offering DeRozan a chance to compete on a contender.

Monday’s matchup could serve as an opportunity for DeRozan to showcase himself to the always-searching Sixers once again. While the Sixers haven’t been linked to the star forward at all since it became apparent DeRozan might be available, Philly will have to keep an open mind as Daryl Morey’s typically open for business.

Clearly, the Bulls are still weeks and potentially months away from making a franchise-altering decision in the trade market. Monday’s game might have some added juice to it with DeRozan on pace to play, but it will be a while before the league finds out if he’s set to move on or not.