The Bulls are gearing up for changes this summer, with VP and lead basketball decision-maker Arturas Karnisovas acknowledging that the current roster isn’t working. After two consecutive trips to the play-in round, resulting in losses to Miami both times, Karnisovas expressed the need for a shakeup within the team.
One player who may not be part of the shakeup is DeMar DeRozan. While negotiations between Karnisovas and DeRozan are currently centered on the number of years in a potential contract rather than the salary, there is hope that they can come to an agreement soon. Reports suggest that the Bulls offered DeRozan a two-year deal with a high annual salary, likely around $40 million.
DeRozan, who just finished a season where he made $28.6 million, is now a free agent. He is seeking a longer-term deal than the two years proposed by the Bulls. However, Karnisovas has expressed interest in keeping him and DeRozan has indicated that he is open to staying with the team. The disagreement highlights the differing priorities of the two parties; while the Bulls look for flexibility in their roster with a shorter contract for DeRozan, DeRozan seeks security in the form of a longer deal.
As Zach LaVine’s future with the team remains uncertain and trade rumors swirl around him, retaining DeRozan could provide stability and reliability on offense for
