The Chicago Bulls are making it a top priority to re-sign six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan this offseason, a decision which means that Zach LaVine’s time with the team could be coming to an end.
With DeRozan set to become an unrestricted free agent on June 30, Chicago’s front office has reportedly already offered DeRozan a two-year deal in the realm of $40M per season.
DeRozan is seeking a longer contract, however, and Chicago’s executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas has recently stated that “both sides are interested in continuing,” in reference to ongoing negotiations between DeRozan’s camp and the Bulls.
DeRozan, who turns 35 in August, appeared in 79 regular season games this past season for Chicago, averaging 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.
While the Bulls may very well ink DeRozan to a longer, more lucrative deal than what has been floated, doing so would compromise another of Karnišovas’ priorities heading into 2024-25 -- remaining under the luxury tax. Karnišovas has been outspoken about avoiding the tax unless he feels that the Bulls are a surefire top-four roster in the Eastern Conference.
With Chicago’s performance this past season suggesting anything but top-four status, Karnišovas will indeed be looking to avoid the tax heading into next season, a task that would be far easier with Zach LaVine’s contract taken off the Bulls’ books.
At present, Chicago owes LaVine $138M over the next three seasons, a figure which becomes even more inconvenient given the looming DeRozan deal. Moreover, Chicago is already paying core pieces Nikola Vučević and Coby White a combined $32M next season, and Karnišovas has also expressed his desire to re-sign Patrick Williams this summer.
The Bulls’ current roster cannot contend, and as Karnišovas looks to re-tool, LaVine’s contract becomes the most moveable piece. Nothing is set in stone until free agency kicks off, but if Chicago can come to a long-term agreement with DeRozan, LaVine’s departure will almost surely follow.