The trade market is heating up for six-time NBA All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan, who informed the Chicago Bulls earlier this week that he wouldn’t be returning to the team, will be moved via a sign-and-trade soon.
The 34-year-old’s market includes the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. Despite DeRozan’s wishes, Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports that the Heat “aren’t in position to give him what he’s seeking at this time.”
Kings have talked to Bulls about DeRozan sign and trade, per source. Spurs also now another possibility. Despite DeRozan interest in Miami, Heat not in position to give him what he's seeking at this time… Heat will hope opportunity on some player it wants arises this summer.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 4, 2024
A deal with San Antonio would be intriguing. DeRozan played for Gregg Popovich and the Spurs from 2018-21. He was traded to San Antonio in the Kawhi Leonard trade after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Toronto Raptors.
San Antonio has been active already this offseason, signing 12-time All-Star Chris Paul. The Spurs also have 2023-24 Rookie of the Year center Victor Wembanyama, so a reunion with DeRozan makes a lot of sense.
However, he’d be a great fit in Sacramento, as well. DeRozan, alongside guard De’Aaron Fox, could make for one of the most lethal offensive frontcourts in the NBA.
DeRozan will offer tremendous offensive consistency to whatever team acquires him. He’s averaged 20 or more points per game in the past 11 seasons, including a career-high 27.9 in 2021-22, his first season with the Bulls.