Potential Demar DeRozan Trades for the Chicago Bulls

Lets preface this by saying a Demar DeRozan trade seems unlikely at this point. Every indication from the Bulls front office is that they value him incredibly highly, and not just for his on-court production, but for his leadership and mentorship in the locker room as well. However, trading Demar does make a lot of sense from a talent/asset management point of view, and his mid-range, isolation heavy play, doesn’t exactly mesh well with Billy Donovan’s desire to have a fast-paced team. With only one year left on his contract, the Bulls also risk losing him after next season for nothing, or being forced to overpay him in an extension that takes him into his mid to late 30’s. If the Bulls front office did decide to field offers for DeRozan, this is what some potential trades could look like.

The Obvious Ones

Los Angelos Lakers

Lakers get: Demar DeRozan

Bulls get: a newly resigned D’Angelo Russell and Jared Vanderbilt

Or it could be expanded

Lakers get: Demar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, and a newly resigned Coby White

Bulls get: D’Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba and a future 1st

Why the Bulls would be interested: DeRozan seems destined to end up playing in Los Angelos, and he’s said a couple times that was his desire before signing with the Bulls. The Lakers seem ready to move on from D’Angelo Russell and the Bulls are looking for a new point guard. They could do worse than adding a former all-star whose still capable of putting up 17 points a game and 6+ assists, and is still entering his “prime years”. At this point, would D’Angelo be viewed as a major upgrade over Coby White? If Coby was given an expanded role, would he put up similar numbers but be younger, cheaper and have established chemistry with the team? If Bulls management believe Russell to be enough of an upgrade, or fear losing Coby in free agency, then expanding the trade to include him may be an option, and it's been reported to Mo Bamba still has a desire to play for the Bulls (He lobbied for it before being drafted in 2018 as well).

Why the Lakers would be interested: Make no mistake, Demar DeRozan is the most talented player involved in this trade. He’s a current all-star caliber player with a desire to play in LA. He may not provide the spacing you typically want to surround Lebron with, but trading essentially 3 role players for a current Allstar that averages 25 ppg and has been incredibly reliable and durable, would be a huge win for the Lakers.

Los Angelos Clippers

Clippers get: Demar DeRozan

Bulls get: Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Bones Hyland and Brandon Boston Jr

Why the Bulls would be interested: If Demar’s desire is to play in LA, and the Bulls risk losing him or overpaying him next summer, they could do worse. This deal adds a young point guard prospect in Bones Hyland, whose shown flashes of being an exceptional scorer, and good young wing prospect in Brandon Boston, and they retain some veteran leadership via Nic Batum and Robert Covington. Bulls don’t take back any long term money, and add some youth and depth.

Why the Clippers would be interested: Same reasoning as the Lakers, consolidating under-used talent. Clippers would add a reliable, durable Allstar to play with their other Allstars. A potential lineup with Westbrook, DeRozan, Leonard, and George would be one of the most potent lineups in the NBA. They would have much better defense and less overlapping skills than a team like the Phoenix Suns. If the Clippers were able to convince the Bulls to include the very under-used Andre Drummond, that could be huge for them as well.

Maybe but doubtful..

Knicks

Knicks get: Demar DeRozan,

Bulls get: Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickly and Evan Fournier

Why the Bulls would be interested: It addresses 2 of the Bulls biggest area’s of need with 2 young, high-upside players. This could also be viewed as an addition by subtraction type of trade, moving away from the Iso heavy play of DeRozan and toward a more fast paced team that Donovan desires. I could see the Bulls management viewing a lineup of Quickly/White, Levine, Williams, Toppin and Vucevic as “Denver Nuggets East”. Running the ball through Vucevic more, with Levine in the Jamal Murray role, Toppin in the Aaron Gordon role and Williams in the MPJ role. I think the Bulls may want to include 1-2 of the Knicks heavily protected 2024 1st round picks, but I'm not sure if they’re necessary. Bulls would still be looking to add a shooter via Free Agency.

Why the Knicks would be interested: The Knicks are a team looking to make the next step and adding a reliable scorer like DeRozan could help them immensely. Reports were widespread about a massive rift between Obi Toppin and Coach Thibideau. Obi is looking for a bigger opportunity, and doesn’t have a clear path to it in New York playing behind All-Star Julius Randle. Quickley may be in line for a payday next offseason that the Knicks may be hesitant to give Jalen Brunson’s backup. Fournier is mainly added to match salary, but his shooting would be a nice addition to the Bulls bench, and he has plenty of familiarity playing with Nikola Vucevic from their Orlando days.

Raptors

Raptors get: Demar DeRozan

Bulls get: Gary Trent Jr and Chris Boucher

Why the Bulls would be interested: They get to address 2 of their biggest areas of need by adding a shooter in Gary Trent Jr and a starting caliber PF in Chris Boucher, without taking back any long term money. This is a trade in the similar vein as the Knicks trade, but Gary Trent Jr and Chris Boucher are more veteran, win-now players that may have a lower ceiling but higher floor. Boucher in particular would be a starting PF for a lot of teams, but may be viewed as a 3rd option for the Forward heavy Raptors. Most trades scenario’s involving DeRozan to the Raptors include a sign and trade sending Van Fleet to the Bulls. That may be a great option, but something like this seems more likely.

Why the Raptors would be interested: They get to bring DeRozan “Home”. He’s one of the greatest Raptors of all time and could look to solidify himself atop the list. Aside from the great PR and story of DeRozan’s return, it makes basketball sense. The Raptors have a plethora of Forwards and can’t play them all. If they’re able to resign Van Fleet, he and DeRozan would be a potent backcourt that could play well off of each other, paired with Pascal Siakam and their young forwards, the Raptors would be even more competitive now, and still set up for the future.

Not hearing any rumors, but maybe make sense?

Blazers

Blazers get: Demar DeRozan and Portlands 2024 protected 1st round pick (and maybe an additional future draft asset)

Bulls get: Anfornee Simons

Why the Bulls would be interested: Simons could be poised for a Tyrese Haliburton like breakout next season if this were to happen. Naturally a point guard, but moved off ball to play next to Dame. Offensively, him and Levine would be a deadly, high scoring, efficiently shooting backcourt. Simons was tied for the 11th most 3 pointers made last season, and shot at a higher percentage than 6 of the players listed above him. Comfortable playing off-ball or as a lead playmaker, he would be a tremendous addition to the Bulls. A Simons-Levine backcourt doesn’t provide the most defense, and Billy has proven to be good at getting players in the right place defensively. The Bulls would still have the MLE to hunt for a defensive minded PF to pair with Vucevic up front, and they’d still have Caruso and Williams to handle a lot of the defensive load.

Why the Trail Blazers would be interested: If they hold their stance of being committed to both Dame and Scoot, or if a Dame trade brings back another starting caliber guard, then somebody is getting left out, as they have 4 guards that should be starting somewhere. They could opt to bring both Scoot and Shaedan Sharp off the bench, or play all 4 and have the smallest lineup in the NBA, but that seems unlikely. DeRozan gives Dame a complimentary All star to fill the hole they currently have at the SF spot, and getting their 1st round pick back provides them with additional flexibility to make additional roster moves. I suspect the Blazers would push for additional draft assets to be included, which the Bulls should definitely consider.

Pacers

Pacers get: Demar DeRozan,

Bulls get: Buddy Hield, TJ McConnel and a 2025 top 5 protected pick

Why the Bulls would be interested: Bulls management has stated that their focus this offseason is to address the lead guard position and add more shooting. This trade checks both boxes. TJ McConnel is known for his smart passing and tenacious defense, and Hield remains one of the best outside shooters in the league. Neither player is on a long term/overpriced contract, and they pick up an additional draft asset.

Why the Pacers would be interested: The Pacers seemed poised to take the next step toward playoff contention and DeRozan could help get them there. Even without Hield, they have enough shooting to surround DeRozan with. The Pacers have a few talented young wing prospects who could benefit greatly from DeRozan’s mentorship, even if it was just a one year flyer. DeRozan would add some additional legitimacy to the Pacers roster and push them toward playoff contention.

Trades "confirmed" via Fanspo

Any statistics were taken from Basketball Reference