Amid their focus on roster rebuilding, the Chicago Bulls unexpectedly let go of their star player, DeMar DeRozan, who later joined the Sacramento Kings via sign-and-trade. Throughout the last season, both DeRozan and the Bulls shared their interest in continuing their relationship but ended up splitting. Bulls GM Marc Eversley recently shed light on the reasoning behind the move.
“We just did not feel like it was the right thing for this team. You’ve got a guy in DeMar, for as much as he’s done for our team or [Vucevic], for as much as he’s done—do you just sit there and pivot out and put those guys in a situation that’s like, ‘What are we doing?’ We felt like we owed it to the team to keep it together,” Marc said.
DeRozan’s new contract with the Sacramento Kings is a three-year deal worth $74 million. This marks the end of his three-season tenure with the Chicago Bulls, which spanned from 2021 to 2024.
DeMar DeRozan Picked Sacramento Over Miami Heat
Apart from the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan also garnered attention from the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers showed limited interest, while the Heat were close to securing DeRozan. However, he decided on the Kings, influenced by their competitive environment and geographical location.
“It was really down to the Kings and the Miami Heat from what I’m told as far as DeMar DeRozan’s next home. He really wanted to land in a competitive environment, and I’m also told he wanted to go back West at the end of the day. The Kings pushed the hardest; they pushed the fastest throughout free agency to get a deal done,” he said.
The Kings now can expect a good run ahead from DeRozan. The former Bulls star is coming off a season averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 79 games.
Also Read: Sacramento Kings Owner Channels His Inner Kendrick Lamar as He Welcomes DeMar DeRozan to the Franchise.
