DeMar DeRozan Wants To Remain With Bulls: ‘I Love Everything About The City And The Franchise’

DeRozan becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. 

“This is where I want to be,” DeRozan said, via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “I love ownership. I love everything about the city and the franchise, top to bottom. The front office, the staff we have. It’s one of those places that gives me motivation to see everybody get what they deserve and feel what winning is like again.”

DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The USC product is averaging 23.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season while shooting 47.7% from the field, 32.1% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line. 

“You watch me, how hard I play, how hard I want to give success to this organization, this city, that’s my main focal point. I always want to finish a job. The last couple years have been tough with injuries and so many ups and downs. But I always want to weather the storm and stick through whatever situation it is to make the most out of it, to make it even better,” DeRozan said. “That’s always been my mindset and it’s my mindset going forward. How can I be here and make this a winning organization like when I first came?

“The feeling, the vibe, the energy that was around when we had that run (in 2021-22), I want the city and all these players to experience that again—and for myself too. It’s always easy to complain and say what’s not. But I made it clear this is where I want to be and ride it out. I don’t want to go nowhere.”

The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers were interested in acquiring DeRozan this season, sources told Hoops Wire. However, the Bulls weren’t shopping DeRozan, who will draw suitors if he gets to unrestricted free agency this offseason. 

DeRozan has career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists with the Toronto Raptors, Spurs and Bulls. He has made three All-NBA teams and six All-Star teams.