DeMar Derozan: I Just Want To Win

[RealGM Wiretap]

DeMar DeRozan was frustrated by the Chicago Bulls loss in the Play-In Tournament. In his three years in Chicago, DeRozan's Bulls have made the playoffs just once, getting eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in 2022.

In each of the last two seasons, the Bulls have been eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament. That's not something DeRozan wants to repeat. And it seems likely to factor into the veteran forward's upcoming free agency.

“My stance on wanting to be here is still the same but I just want to win," DeRozan said.

DeRozan also seems to know he doesn't have a lot of years left to accomplish his goal of competing for a title.

“Next time I play a game will be my 16th season," DeRozan said. "You realize the window closes for you personally. I ain’t trying to play 25 years.”

Via Julia Poe/Chicago Tribune

[Wingy]

Better find a new team then.

[Barcs]

I mean the Bulls were decimated with injury this year. They basically built their team around Lavine & Ball and they still played decently with them both out. I feel like we're going to see Derozan on the Lakers soon.

[antonac]

also DeMar: "as long as it means I get to take loads of shots."

DeRozan has taken the 5th most 2pt attempts in the league this year, the only player with a worse 2pt% in the top 10 of that list is Banchero, a guy who's just got a free pass to do what he wants while he develops on a bad team.

[Jabroni Lames]

also DeMar: "as long as it means I get to take loads of shots."

DeRozan has taken the 5th most 2pt attempts in the league this year, the only player with a worse 2pt% in the top 10 of that list is Banchero, a guy who's just got a free pass to do what he wants while he develops on a bad team.

Magic aren't a "bad" team. They have the second best defense in the NBA.

[akula1488]

He can be a good 6th man for Boston Celtics or Denver Nuggets.

[Axl Rose]

DeMar has been great but I'm actually hoping he leaves just so it forces some kind of change.

[Pickled Prunes]

also DeMar: "as long as it means I get to take loads of shots."

DeRozan has taken the 5th most 2pt attempts in the league this year, the only player with a worse 2pt% in the top 10 of that list is Banchero, a guy who's just got a free pass to do what he wants while he develops on a bad team.

Sure, but DeRozan has a better TS% than many former or potential All-Stars, including Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Ja Morant, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine. He's also less than 1% behind Trae Young, Jamal Murray, Deandre Ayton, Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson. Only two players on that list are locked into a cheaper contract. Most of them are at or will soon be at the max.

And you break it down like he's out there chucking. DeMar was 72nd in the NBA in FGA's per minute. he just played a lot of minutes, leading the NBA in MPG and total minutes. No, you don't need to like his game... but he's doing fine.

[Pickled Prunes]

He can be a good 6th man for Boston Celtics or Denver Nuggets.

That's exactly what the NBA needs... for BOS and DEN to further stack the deck.

[Pickled Prunes]

DeMar has been great but I'm actually hoping he leaves just so it forces some kind of change.

I can see that, but honestly, he's been one of the better values in the league. Next season Lonzo may come back. If he doesn't, either medical retirement or stretch. Obviously get to gettin' with LaVine. There is a path back from this debacle!

[beefymajesto]

also DeMar: "as long as it means I get to take loads of shots."

DeRozan has taken the 5th most 2pt attempts in the league this year, the only player with a worse 2pt% in the top 10 of that list is Banchero, a guy who's just got a free pass to do what he wants while he develops on a bad team.

Sure, but DeRozan has a better TS% than many former or potential All-Stars, including Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Ja Morant, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine. He's also less than 1% behind Trae Young, Jamal Murray, Deandre Ayton, Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson. Only two players on that list are locked into a cheaper contract. Most of them are at or will soon be at the max.

And you break it down like he's out there chucking. DeMar was 72nd in the NBA in FGA's per minute. he just played a lot of minutes, leading the NBA in MPG and total minutes. No, you don't need to like his game... but he's doing fine.

Get em! I bet the 8 players alluded to that are beating Demar in 2pt fg % are all centers. He's a clutch scorer and when the games tight ill take two over none all day. He just gets smothered in the playoffs like many players but back in the raptors day every 3pt specialist we brought in could never hit an open 3 to open things up for him and take some of the attention.

[Pickled Prunes]

also DeMar: "as long as it means I get to take loads of shots."

DeRozan has taken the 5th most 2pt attempts in the league this year, the only player with a worse 2pt% in the top 10 of that list is Banchero, a guy who's just got a free pass to do what he wants while he develops on a bad team.

Sure, but DeRozan has a better TS% than many former or potential All-Stars, including Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Ja Morant, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine. He's also less than 1% behind Trae Young, Jamal Murray, Deandre Ayton, Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson. Only two players on that list are locked into a cheaper contract. Most of them are at or will soon be at the max.

And you break it down like he's out there chucking. DeMar was 72nd in the NBA in FGA's per minute. he just played a lot of minutes, leading the NBA in MPG and total minutes. No, you don't need to like his game... but he's doing fine.

Get em! I bet the 8 players alluded to that are beating Demar in 2pt fg % are all centers. He's a clutch scorer and when the games tight ill take two over none all day. He just gets smothered in the playoffs like many players but back in the raptors day every 3pt specialist we brought in could never hit an open 3 to open things up for him and take some of the attention.

They also have $60m tied up in Lonzo and LaVine and I have been saying that Billy Donovan is the worst coach in the NBA since he was with OKC. Almost none of the problems in CHI have anything to do with DeRozan.

[Bentley1225]

He's 35 to start next season and has made $230M in the league. I think he's still viewed as a strong 2nd scoring option for another 1-2 years. A 2 year, $60 million to stay in Chicago makes sense and then look to deal him come trade deadline if the Bulls are still treading water in EC early 2025. Then at 37 he can ring chase for 1-2 years on exemption money as a rotational piece.

[Melwing]

DeMar has been great but I'm actually hoping he leaves just so it forces some kind of change.

I can see that, but honestly, he's been one of the better values in the league. Next season Lonzo may come back. If he doesn't, either medical retirement or stretch. Obviously get to gettin' with LaVine. There is a path back from this debacle!

I thought was a limit on stretching now, in the last CBA or something? I thought they only do it once

[Courant]

Sure, but DeRozan has a better TS% than many former or potential All-Stars, including Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Maxey, Ja Morant, De'Aaron Fox, Brandon Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine. He's also less than 1% behind Trae Young, Jamal Murray, Deandre Ayton, Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson. Only two players on that list are locked into a cheaper contract. Most of them are at or will soon be at the max.

And you break it down like he's out there chucking. DeMar was 72nd in the NBA in FGA's per minute. he just played a lot of minutes, leading the NBA in MPG and total minutes. No, you don't need to like his game... but he's doing fine.

Get em! I bet the 8 players alluded to that are beating Demar in 2pt fg % are all centers. He's a clutch scorer and when the games tight ill take two over none all day. He just gets smothered in the playoffs like many players but back in the raptors day every 3pt specialist we brought in could never hit an open 3 to open things up for him and take some of the attention.

Here are some numbers:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2024_per_game.html

DeMar DeRozan is seventh in the NBA in 2-point field goal attempts per game. Of the players ahead of him who have a higher 2-point field goal percentage:

1.) One is a center who likely will win his third league MVP award (Nikola Jokic at .626).
2.) Two are power forwards who play exclusively in the post, essentially acting like centers on offense (Giannis Antetokounmpo at .645 and Zion Williamson at .574).
3.) One is a power forward who plays essentially the center spot on offense and defense for his team (Anthony Davis at .582).
4.) One guard whose game is not built on 3-point shooting, but on drives and mid-range shooting like DeRozan (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at .576).
5.) Another guard whose 2-point shooting field goal percentage is barely higher than DeRozan's (Jalen Brunson at .516).

Five of these players will be on an All-NBA team this season (Williamson is the only exception), and three of them (Jokic, SGA and Giannis) likely will finish in the top four in league MVP voting. As mentioned, DeRozan is not taking a large volume of shots and bad shot, especially given the number of minutes he played this season.

[ItsDanger]

Really? Take a big discount on your next contract then.

[Roy T]

Clippers, Knicks, Spurs come to my mind.

You made your money dawg, sign for cheap and get yourself some help.

[donaldtrump_00]

He's 35 to start next season and has made $230M in the league. I think he's still viewed as a strong 2nd scoring option for another 1-2 years. A 2 year, $60 million to stay in Chicago makes sense and then look to deal him come trade deadline if the Bulls are still treading water in EC early 2025. Then at 37 he can ring chase for 1-2 years on exemption money as a rotational piece.

35 is not bad for what he brings. I'd definitely bring him back for 2 years on 60. Only thing is they value Patrick Williams also. How much he gets probably kills all off season moves. Drummond is most likely gone. Or maybe they trade vuc. Im thinking they love coby and ayo stepping up and by simply bringing Zack back fixes everything along with lonzo. Noway there trading both Zack and vuc together. One of them will go. It's just a brand new bulls team with our young players showing improvement. We have to think p.will eventually is going to blossom. Terry seems very determined to improve. Julian Phillips looks like a future piece. All of them could turn into very good players. No need to trade all your vets away with developing talent. Coby and ayo gave me hope for p.will, Terry, and Phillips.

[Pickled Prunes]

DeMar has been great but I'm actually hoping he leaves just so it forces some kind of change.

I can see that, but honestly, he's been one of the better values in the league. Next season Lonzo may come back. If he doesn't, either medical retirement or stretch. Obviously get to gettin' with LaVine. There is a path back from this debacle!

I thought was a limit on stretching now, in the last CBA or something? I thought they only do it once

It was the opposite. When the stretch provision was introduced each team was only able to use it once. In the 2011 CBA that restriction was removed.