DeMar DeRozan makes free-agency desires clear

Ahead DeMar DeRozan, who’s eligible for a veteran extension till June 30 earlier than hitting unrestricted free agency, advised K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago that he desires to signal an extension to stay with the Bulls.

“That is the place I wish to be,” DeRozan mentioned. “ … I really like possession. I really like every little thing concerning the metropolis and the franchise, prime to backside—the entrance workplace, the employees we’ve got. It’s a type of locations that provides me motivation to see everyone get what they deserve and really feel what profitable is like once more.”

DeRozan has said a number of instances all through the season he desires to stick with Chicago, and the curiosity is reportedly mutual. However an settlement on a brand new deal has but to be reached, leaving his future doubtful.

As Johnson writes, DeRozan has outplayed the three-year, $81.9M contract he signed a couple of years in the past when the Bulls acquired him in a sign-and-trade with the Spurs. The 34-year-old has averaged 25.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.1 APG and 1.0 SPG on .496/.331/.867 over the previous three seasons, incomes two All-Star nods and offering clutch shot-making whereas being very sturdy — he leads the league in complete minutes and minutes per recreation (37.8) in 2023-24.

The Bulls haven’t discovered a lot crew success over the previous few years, nevertheless, significantly since January 2022, when Lonzo Ball‘s profession was derailed by a sequence of knee surgical procedures. After being eradicated in a first-round playoff sequence with Milwaukee in 2022, Chicago misplaced to Miami within the play-in match final 12 months and is locked into one other play-in berth in ’24. Accidents have been one other issue this season, with Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams sidelined with season-ending foot surgical procedures.

DeRozan advised Johnson he desires to assist the Bulls discover the success that they had within the first portion of the 2021-22 season, after they have been 27-13 earlier than Ball was injured.

“The sensation, the vibe, the power that was round after we had that run, I would like town and all these gamers to expertise that once more — and for myself too,” DeRozan mentioned as half of a bigger quote. “It’s all the time simple to complain and say what’s not. However I made it clear that is the place I wish to be. … I don’t wish to go nowhere.

“They comprehend it. All people is aware of my stance. I lay it down from this angle: I wish to come again. All people else work out what you want to work out. And that’s simply how I have a look at it so I don’t stress or fear about what’s what. I made it clear that is the place I wish to be. The powers that be simply want to determine what must occur. All people is aware of my mindset.”