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Chicago Bulls might have to let DeMar DeRozan go to adapt to modern-day NBA
The Chicago Bulls' All-Star wingman DeMar DeRozan remains one of the best players in the NBA right now. With 14 seasons under his belt, Deebo is showing no signs of slowing down after averaging 24.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game in 74 appearances. Despite those stellar numbers, the Bulls were up-and-down all season long and barely made it to the Play-in tournament before losing to the Miami Heat.
The team's decision-makers have made it clear they're big on continuity, which means bringing back the team's core for another go at the Eastern Conference playoffs. But if the Bulls didn't make much progress this year, how can they hope to do better next season?
New direction
It may be time for the team to consider a new direction, and trading DeRozan may be one of the first steps. For all the firepower that DeMar brings, the fact remains that he does his best work inside the three-point arc. His play style is not compatible with today's NBA, where the emphasis on making the three-pointer is more important than ever before.
His ability to get to the basket and finish at the rim is exceptional, but that alone isn't enough to close the often-overwhelming point differential between the Bulls and their opponents.
A leopard doesn't change his spots
Asked about what move the Bulls should consider making to improve the offense, Bulls insider Darnell Mayberry agreed to the idea of trading DeRozan away.
"Because Billy [Donovan] 's not going to take the ball out of his hands, and I don't think tomorrow is going to change," said Mayberry.
The proof lies in the numbers: DeRozan shot just 32 percent from behind the arc this past season on less than two attempts per game. As a team, the Bulls ranked dead last in three-pointers made and attempted, which just isn't going to work in an era where the three-pointer is king.
