Surprise Bulls Move Was ‘Final Straw’ for DeMar DeRozan per New Report
By Cem Yolbulan
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2627,h_1477,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/258/01j1qt23aeajzzxzgz86.jpg)
Unlike the previous couple of offseasons and trade deadlines, the Chicago Bulls are in the middle of a busy transaction period as they look to reshape their roster. They already moved on from Alex Caruso and are reportedly looking for deals for their other veterans, including Zach LaVine.
What the future holds for DeMar DeRozan was one of the biggest offseason questions for the Chicago Bulls. An unrestricted free agent at the age of 34, DeRozan doesn't necessarily fit Chicago's timeline. However, the Bulls are the team that could pay him the most, and due to his shooting and defensive concerns, his free-agent market was expected to be tepid. Therefore, some were speculating that the six-time All-Star would be back in Chicago.
It turns out, however, that DeRozan is completely done with the Bulls as an organization. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the trade that brought Josh Giddey to Chicago was the "final straw" for DeRozan.
"A source told the Sun-Times late Sunday night that the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey trade was the final straw in DeRozan’s mind for any sort of return, as the 34-year-old will now use his free agency to shop elsewhere."
- Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times
This is understandable on DeRozan's part. Going from Caruso to Giddey is a downgrade in the immediate. It can work out in the long run, but the Bulls have to give him a lucrative, long-term deal, financially restricting the team for the future.
Plus, Giddey is a horrible on-court fit next to DeRozan, as well. Giddey is a bad shooter and a defender, further exacerbating Chicago's existing problems. DeRozan presumably realized that there is no space for him on this team, both financially, basketball-wise, and competitively, and decided to move on.
DeRozan will likely want to go home to LA to play for the Lakers and the Clippers. He deserves to be in a situation that works for him and the Bulls, at this stage of their rebuilding, unfortunately can't provide that for him.
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