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DeMar DeRozan has made no real progress on a new deal with the Chicago Bulls. That means DeRozan is likely to explore his options in free agency.

However, it may not be a quick resolution for DeRozan. The veteran wing may wait to see what Paul George does in free agency, before exploring non-Bulls options. George is set to meet with the LA Clippers, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers when free agency opens.

DeRozan could be a candidate for the Clippers, if George leaves. DeRozan has been rumored to want to play at home in the Los Angeles area for years.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

DDR’s operating frm the 19-20 Danny Green playbook - funnily enough it was Kawhi bein waited out then. Green ended up winning a ring that year. U all kno how it turned out for Kawhi …

Took multiple suitors who were willing to preserve their cap space until late in free agency for Danny to get his bag. But that was only bc Kawhi was tryna screw the Lakers … oops . Doubt PG drags it out the way Kawhi did tho. Altho I’m pretty sure it’s gonna go similarly frm there.

Why would Paul George have any opinion on DeRozan finding his next deal?

He kinda screwed himself over by not accepting the bulls 2 year 80 million offer, assuming that report was accurate. Now bulls don’t have roster space or cap space to sign out right or work much sign and trade. Teams that would be interested in him are against a second apron. Teams with cap space to sign outright are too young to match his timeline and probably aren’t interested. Very few realistic options at this point for him to out earn the original offer. Gotta fire that agent

Risk Addict wrote:He kinda screwed himself over by not accepting the bulls 2 year 80 million offer, assuming that report was accurate. Now bulls don’t have roster space or cap space to sign out right or work much sign and trade. Teams that would be interested in him are against a second apron. Teams with cap space to sign outright are too young to match his timeline and probably aren’t interested. Very few realistic options at this point for him to out earn the original offer. Gotta fire that agent

Not sure if that rumor is true, but the Bulls don’t need cap space to sign him and definitely still have roster space. Think they’d have to pay the tax though, or have to shuffle around some things to avoid it.

HotelVitale wrote:

Risk Addict wrote:He kinda screwed himself over by not accepting the bulls 2 year 80 million offer, assuming that report was accurate. Now bulls don’t have roster space or cap space to sign out right or work much sign and trade. Teams that would be interested in him are against a second apron. Teams with cap space to sign outright are too young to match his timeline and probably aren’t interested. Very few realistic options at this point for him to out earn the original offer. Gotta fire that agent

Not sure if that rumor is true, but the Bulls don’t need cap space to sign him and definitely still have roster space. Think they’d have to pay the tax though, or have to shuffle around some things to avoid it.

Max they can offer without going over the lux tax is 22/ year. He reportedly turned down 40/year. They have Matas, PWill, and Giddey who are all gonna need minutes to develop. They mate have “space” as in roster space but not game time minutes. You don’t pay someone 20 million plus per year to play 15-20 minutes a game if they aren’t a young player with upside.

Bulls are not paying the tax next year. I’d bet good money against that. I also don’t think they will be willing to lose draft capital to unload Zach. Which makes a Zach trade unlikely unless someone just really loves him.

Risk Addict wrote:

HotelVitale wrote:

Risk Addict wrote:He kinda screwed himself over by not accepting the bulls 2 year 80 million offer, assuming that report was accurate. Now bulls don’t have roster space or cap space to sign out right or work much sign and trade. Teams that would be interested in him are against a second apron. Teams with cap space to sign outright are too young to match his timeline and probably aren’t interested. Very few realistic options at this point for him to out earn the original offer. Gotta fire that agent

Not sure if that rumor is true, but the Bulls don’t need cap space to sign him and definitely still have roster space. Think they’d have to pay the tax though, or have to shuffle around some things to avoid it.

Max they can offer without going over the lux tax is 22/ year. He reportedly turned down 40/year. They have Matas, PWill, and Giddey who are all gonna need minutes to develop. They mate have “space” as in roster space but not game time minutes. You don’t pay someone 20 million plus per year to play 15-20 minutes a game if they aren’t a young player with upside.

Bulls are not paying the tax next year. I’d bet good money against that. I also don’t think they will be willing to lose draft capital to unload Zach. Which makes a Zach trade unlikely unless someone just really loves him.

Sure, that’s part of why I don’t fully buy the rumor of the 2/80 contract they supposedly offered him. But also none of that was unexpected—they knew they had a lotto pick coming and knew Pat Will was likely coming back. Giddey is new but they were gonna give Caruso those minutes (if not as many touches).

Guess I’m saying I don’t understand why they would’ve offered that contract in April, but if they actually did I’m not sure anything would’ve happened since then that would de motivate them. Hard to say though since I don’t follow their motives here in general.

HotelVitale wrote:

Risk Addict wrote:

HotelVitale wrote:Not sure if that rumor is true, but the Bulls don’t need cap space to sign him and definitely still have roster space. Think they’d have to pay the tax though, or have to shuffle around some things to avoid it.

Max they can offer without going over the lux tax is 22/ year. He reportedly turned down 40/year. They have Matas, PWill, and Giddey who are all gonna need minutes to develop. They mate have “space” as in roster space but not game time minutes. You don’t pay someone 20 million plus per year to play 15-20 minutes a game if they aren’t a young player with upside.

Bulls are not paying the tax next year. I’d bet good money against that. I also don’t think they will be willing to lose draft capital to unload Zach. Which makes a Zach trade unlikely unless someone just really loves him.

Sure, that’s part of why I don’t fully buy the rumor of the 2/80 contract they supposedly offered him. But also none of that was unexpected—they knew they had a lotto pick coming and knew Pat Will was likely coming back. Giddey is new but they were gonna give Caruso those minutes (if not as many touches).

Guess I’m saying I don’t understand why they would’ve offered that contract in April, but if they actually did I’m not sure anything would’ve happened since then that would de motivate them. Hard to say though since I don’t follow their motives here in general.

I think they had a “retool” plan and a “rebuild” plan. They started with the retool plan centered around a resigned demar for 2 years to match some other expiring contracts. When Demar asked for more than they felt was smart, they pivoted to the rebuild. Once Caruso was traded, the Demar ship had sailed IMO