The Lakers’ interest is genuine, and the Bulls are open to sign-and-trade possibilities, sources confirmed. But any sign-and-trade would have be for at least three years and at less annual salary than what DeMar DeRozan wants. Thus, a potential scenario is DeRozan playing next season—possibly with the Lakers—on the $12.8 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and then re-entering unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Source: NBC Sports Chicago
Source: NBC Sports Chicago
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
![KC Johnson](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pkZ1tahr_normal.jpg)
KC Johnson @KCJHoop
DeMar DeRozan led the NBA in minutes played and fourth-quarter points. As recently as mid-April, he emphatically stated “this is where I want to be.”
So why is he unsigned? And what happened with him and the Bulls?
Column for @NBCSChicago: nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chicago-bu… – 2:29 PM
DeMar DeRozan led the NBA in minutes played and fourth-quarter points. As recently as mid-April, he emphatically stated “this is where I want to be.”
So why is he unsigned? And what happened with him and the Bulls?
Column for @NBCSChicago: nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chicago-bu… – 2:29 PM
![Michael Scotto](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ncCvgyTX_normal.jpg)
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Story: Reporting on Lauri Markkanen trade talks, including new interest from the Pelicans, sources say. Plus, DeMar DeRozan updates, Lakers trade interest in Jerami Grant, Kyle Kuzma’s trade value, Knicks center options, and 76ers targets on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumo… – 2:10 PM
Story: Reporting on Lauri Markkanen trade talks, including new interest from the Pelicans, sources say. Plus, DeMar DeRozan updates, Lakers trade interest in Jerami Grant, Kyle Kuzma’s trade value, Knicks center options, and 76ers targets on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumo… – 2:10 PM
![Barry Jackson](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8fb75cea50ebdbe8ee642d71c1aaa974_normal.jpeg)
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
NEW: Heat calls on DeMar DeRozan, and DeRozan also has interest in Miami, per multiple sources. But Lakers, others also reportedly involved
miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…
Here are the precise rules complications with Miami acquiring DeRozan.. World got confirmation today that Mitchell – 1:38 PM
NEW: Heat calls on DeMar DeRozan, and DeRozan also has interest in Miami, per multiple sources. But Lakers, others also reportedly involved
miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…
Here are the precise rules complications with Miami acquiring DeRozan.. World got confirmation today that Mitchell – 1:38 PM
![The Ringer](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ZaZlbj-V_normal.jpg)
The Ringer @ringernba
📝 The Mavs got way better
📝 The Lauri Markkanen sleeper team
📝 DeMar DeRozan could be the steal of the summer
@KevinOConnorNBA’s free agency observations: theringer.com/nba/2024/7/2/2… – 11:44 AM
📝 The Mavs got way better
📝 The Lauri Markkanen sleeper team
📝 DeMar DeRozan could be the steal of the summer
@KevinOConnorNBA’s free agency observations: theringer.com/nba/2024/7/2/2… – 11:44 AM
![Darnell Mayberry](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LFdBUvki_normal.jpg)
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
The Lakers have been quiet so far in free agency. Could DeMar DeRozan change that?
(Story by @jovanbuha) nytimes.com/athletic/56105… – 11:31 AM
The Lakers have been quiet so far in free agency. Could DeMar DeRozan change that?
(Story by @jovanbuha) nytimes.com/athletic/56105… – 11:31 AM
![Marc Stein](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/HUbK0Y2i_normal.jpg)
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
🎙️📻: A NEW #thisleague UNCUT podcast alongside @ChrisBHaynes is out. Covering …
🏀 Paul George, Klay Thompson and more free agency moves (and misses)
🏀 New power struggle atop the East
🏀 Shifting focus now to DeMar DeRozan and trades
FULL POD: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pau… – 10:47 AM
🎙️📻: A NEW #thisleague UNCUT podcast alongside @ChrisBHaynes is out. Covering …
🏀 Paul George, Klay Thompson and more free agency moves (and misses)
🏀 New power struggle atop the East
🏀 Shifting focus now to DeMar DeRozan and trades
FULL POD: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pau… – 10:47 AM
![Ira Winderman](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/vvtTTQtE_normal.jpg)
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
NBA Free Agency 2024: What next for LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan? sun-sentinel.com/2024/06/30/nba… Process about to move to second tier. – 9:00 AM
NBA Free Agency 2024: What next for LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan? sun-sentinel.com/2024/06/30/nba… Process about to move to second tier. – 9:00 AM
![Ira Winderman](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/vvtTTQtE_normal.jpg)
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Where the NBA free-agency list stands: sun-sentinel.com/2024/06/30/nba… Top remaining: LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Miles Bridges, Gary Trent Jr., Caleb Martin, Buddy Hield, Saddiq Bey, Tyus Jones, Haywood Highsmith, Lonnie Walker IV, Kyle Lowry, Luke Kennard. – 8:28 AM
Where the NBA free-agency list stands: sun-sentinel.com/2024/06/30/nba… Top remaining: LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, Miles Bridges, Gary Trent Jr., Caleb Martin, Buddy Hield, Saddiq Bey, Tyus Jones, Haywood Highsmith, Lonnie Walker IV, Kyle Lowry, Luke Kennard. – 8:28 AM
![Evan Sidery](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U4fKPF7C_normal.jpg)
Evan Sidery @esidery
DeMar DeRozan is the final free agent remaining who LeBron James is willing to take a $20 million pay cut for, per @jovanbuha (nytimes.com/athletic/56105…).
The Lakers and Bulls have discussed the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving DeRozan. pic.twitter.com/v01GBMktHq – 7:54 AM
DeMar DeRozan is the final free agent remaining who LeBron James is willing to take a $20 million pay cut for, per @jovanbuha (nytimes.com/athletic/56105…).
The Lakers and Bulls have discussed the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving DeRozan. pic.twitter.com/v01GBMktHq – 7:54 AM
![https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GRevun8W0AA7VcD.jpg](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GRevun8W0AA7VcD.jpg)
![Ryan Ward](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/EvdfZ4Zf_normal.jpg)
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
NEW POD: Klay Thompson passes on the Lakers, NBA free agency disappointment, DeMar DeRozan the next pivot? via @BleavNetwork
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kla… pic.twitter.com/QbguDwG0SJ – 10:01 PM
NEW POD: Klay Thompson passes on the Lakers, NBA free agency disappointment, DeMar DeRozan the next pivot? via @BleavNetwork
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kla… pic.twitter.com/QbguDwG0SJ – 10:01 PM
![https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GRcnYp_WgAAQC36.jpg](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GRcnYp_WgAAQC36.jpg)
![Jovan Buha](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/jU52dNgl_normal.jpg)
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Lakers spurned by Klay Thompson: Is DeMar DeRozan their next target?
— The Lakers pivoting to DeRozan and his fit in LA
— Why I’m skeptical it would work given the weaknesses in his game
— LA’s roster constraints
Watch: youtu.be/QOo2Dg9h4kE pic.twitter.com/40mMhgIjut – 9:56 PM
Lakers spurned by Klay Thompson: Is DeMar DeRozan their next target?
— The Lakers pivoting to DeRozan and his fit in LA
— Why I’m skeptical it would work given the weaknesses in his game
— LA’s roster constraints
Watch: youtu.be/QOo2Dg9h4kE pic.twitter.com/40mMhgIjut – 9:56 PM
![https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GRcmYm5aYAIcAuf.jpg](https://www.chicagosports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GRcmYm5aYAIcAuf.jpg)
More on this storyline
This is why the Caruso-for-Giddey trade offered a second clue. DeRozan consistently praised Caruso, almost projecting a sense of awe when discussing his team-first mindset and defensive prowess. DeRozan also was close with assistant coach Maurice Cheeks, whom the New York Knicks hired, and some behind-the-scenes staffers who have quietly been let go. From the Bulls’ perspective, there’s no doubt DeRozan outperformed his three-year, $81.9 million deal while making two All-Star appearances in Chicago. It’s why internal discussions during the season initially centered on offering DeRozan a two-year deal at a high annual salary, perhaps nearing $40 million. -via NBC Sports Chicago / July 2, 2024
“The Lakers have interest. How do they acquire DeMar DeRozan. That becomes a much different scenario. LeBron James has talked about a willingness to take significantly less money to open up their mid-level exception. I think in DeMar DeRrozan’s case, and it may not be as appealing to him, but it may look like a one-year deal somewhere. Let the market reset next year because if you do a sign-and-trade, it’s got to be at least three years. And now you’re locked into a three-year deal at a number you may not like. The Lakers are interested, but is there a mechanism that would allow them to create a slot to acquire him. That’s going to be the harder part. It’s tough when you give out the big money, there’s not always money left for a guy like DeMar DeRozan who was an All-Star recently, but we’ll see what happens with him.” -via RealGM / July 2, 2024
If DeRozan took that, Miami would be just below the second apron and would not be able to re-sign Caleb Martin or Haywood Highsmith, who remain in a holding pattern while both those players and the Heat explore all their options. The other option for DeRozan with Miami, which would get DeRozan a salary more in line with his production: If the Heat trades a player earning decent money to a team with cap space — either for draft picks or a player making significantly less. That would be necessary to do a sign-and-trade with the Bulls, because teams above the first apron cannot make sign-and-trades. The Heat has 11 players under contract, not counting Orlando Robinson, whose $2.2 million salary isn’t guaranteed. If Robinson is removed from the equation, the Heat’s payroll – from a tax/cap calculation standpoint – is $180.2 million, counting minimum cap holds for two open roster spots. -via Miami Herald / July 2, 2024