Chicago Bulls forward, DeMar DeRozan will be joining the Sacramento Kings. This would take place under a sign-and-trade between the Chicago Bulls and the Sacramento Kings. With this, the Chicago Bulls will be accepting the future that they’ve been avoiding so far. DeRozan has spent three seasons with the Bulls and will be ending his journey with them.
Trade Details
Talking about the details of the trade, in return for DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls will receive Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and some cash. In addition, the Sacramento Kings will be sending Harrison Barnes along with an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the San Antonio Spurs. A $73.7 million deal will be signed between DeRozan and Sacramento for a period of three years. However, the third year will only be partially guaranteed (at $10 million).
Notably, De’Aaron Fox had a crucial role in helping Kings acquire DeRozan. Shortly after the news spread, DeRozan received a standing ovation from Kings fans at a Summer League match. This further indicated the significance of the development.
This trade was in the news throughout the year because of DeRozan’s impending free agency. Chicago made efforts to retain him which was evident as they held onto him through the NBA trade deadline. Chicago clearly hoped to retain him. Earlier in the year, several reports started that the 34-year-old “is happy there and would like to return — if the money is right.”
Despite these reports, DeRozan’s decision was probably influenced by the poor performance of the Bulls. While playing in the Eastern Conference, the team lost to Miami Heat and finished ninth by a record of 39-43. The beginning of the season was marked by a players-only meeting after Game 1 but didn’t improve further.
If we look into the Bulls, it is evident that they have been dealing with mediocre performance for years. After Lonzo Ball’s knee injuries, the executive Vice President of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas could not bring the vision back on track. Moreover, the front office did not make any sincere efforts. Neither did they trade DeRozan or Zach LaVine nor made any additions before the deadline set for February..
Significance of the Trade for DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is highly valued at an average of 24.0 points on 48.0 percent shooting. He also had 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 2023-24. Thus, his decision to move to a secondary scoring role with the Kings might prove favorable for his career.
Re-signing DeRozan on the terms he demanded would not have aligned with the goals of Chicago. Instead, exchanging him for assets like Duarte and draft picks might be more advantageous. If Karnišovas is retained, rebuilding has to be his top priority. Some probable developments include exploring Zach LaVine’s trade market again. This becomes more important in the light of his season-ending foot surgery.
Comparatively, the Kings had a quiet offseason. They are eager to push themselves back into playoff contention. Although DeRozan may not instantly raise their ceiling, he would surely help them reach the top six in the Western Conference.
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