DeMar DeRozan’s second yr with the Chicago Bulls has been one thing of a blended bag.
From a person statistical perspective, whereas DeRozan’s 25.1 factors per recreation is down barely from the 27.9 he averaged final season, it’s coming at a extra environment friendly clip. In 2022 he shot 50.4 p.c from the sphere, whereas in 2023 that quantity has creeped as much as 51.2 p.c.
Sadly, though DeRozan is having a fairly on model season for himself, Chicago is struggling this yr. Whereas in 2022 they had been one of many high groups within the East and seemed like a possible NBA playoffs pressure, today they’re ranked 11th and might’t appear to get something going.
It looks as if a foregone conclusion that Zach LaVine is headed elsewhere this summer season, more likely to one of many 5 groups that has expressed curiosity in him this yr.
However what about DeRozan? Will he lastly be a part of the Lakers the way in which everybody anticipated he would two years in the past, earlier than the group randomly pivoted to Russell Westbrook as an alternative?
In keeping with NBA insider Sam Smith, it’s arduous to see a situation the place DeRozan lastly realizes his one-time dream of touchdown in purple and gold.
“DeMar has been fairly open that he thought he was going to the Lakers and residential as a free agent two years in the past and that’s the place he wished to go,” Smith wrote.
“However he’s since stated he believes in ending what he began and has grown to love Chicago and the Bulls…I anticipate DeRozan to be with the Bulls subsequent season.”
Particularly, Smith famous that DeRozan’s contract state of affairs will even probably contribute to him remaining in Chicago going ahead.
“He turns into a rental after this season, so his worth isn’t fairly as excessive and thus I anticipate he finishes his contract with the Bulls,” Smith wrote.
DeRozan has made it clear how he feels about the way in which issues down with the Lakers when the crew had the chance so as to add him.
It’s arduous to return again from that.
Kuz is profitable each on and off the court docket today. https://t.co/X4B9Xa9vIi
— Sport 7 (@game7__) March 7, 2023
Seeing DeRozan as a Laker, given his respect for the franchise and affinity for Kobe Bryant, would have been particular.
But it surely doesn’t appear to be within the playing cards.
Wherever DeRozan in the end finally ends up subsequent, it probably received’t be L.A.
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