The Chicago Bulls concluded their season with a defeat against the Miami Heat (112-91) during the play-in tournament on Friday night. Despite possessing a talented roster, the Bulls struggled with numerous injuries, resulting in a disappointing season overall. Looking ahead to the offseason, one of the primary uncertainties surrounds the future of DeMar DeRozan, a six-time NBA All-Star poised to enter unrestricted free agency.
Following the loss, DeRozan openly discussed his NBA trajectory, acknowledging the inevitability of his career’s timeline. Despite being 34 years old, he remains committed to delivering his best performance, emphasizing his desire for a chance to compete for championships. Although expressing a preference to stay with the Bulls, DeRozan prioritizes winning above all else.
Despite his age, DeRozan continued to be a significant contributor throughout the season, averaging 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 48.0% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc across 79 games. The Bulls, finishing with a 39-43 record, secured the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference but faced elimination in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive year.
DeRozan, originally selected as the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft from USC, has showcased his skills not only with the Bulls but also during stints with the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs. Notably, he played a pivotal role in guiding the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.
