The biggest winner of the offseason
The All-Stardom has arrived, which means another season is drawing to a close, and at such a point, it should be more accurate to discuss the biggest winner of the offseason. In the offseason, there was a team that went crazy to reinforce and make up the big four, but most fans felt that this team's goal was simply to return to the playoffs because they lacked a superstar, a player who could dominate the game at key moments. But who would have thought that they would be in second place in the East, the same as the Heat's record of first place in the East.
This team is the Chicago Bulls and the biggest winner of the offseason, the reason for this is simple, because they signed first and then from the Spurs to DeMar DeRozan on a 3-year, 82 million contract, which also brought the team to the top of the championship this season.
DeRozan joins the ranks of superstars
In the offseason, DeRozan and Lavin, plus the combination of Bauer and Vucevic, people think it's just a playoff-level team, and the reason why this team lacks a superstar. However, this season's DeRozan is definitely a superstar in the league, averaging 28.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, shooting 51.7%, which is the player with the most mid-range shots in the league. Efficiency also reached a career high of 24.7, ranking tenth in the league.
DeRozan's evolution is key to the Chicago Bulls' ability to move from a playoff team to a championship favorite. This season's DeRozan, the king of the final quarter of the league, when he is on and off, the team's plus-minus is as high as +10.5, the highest player on the team, and also ranked twelfth in the league, behind the Cavaliers Garland, and the 76ers Embiid. In addition, DeRozan has played 53 2+1 this season, which is the third highest in the league, behind Alphabet Brother and Embiid.
From these data, it can be seen that DeRozan has come to the ranks of superstars and can be compared with players such as Embiid and Alphabet Brother. DeRozan's metamorphosis made the Chicago Bulls the biggest winner of the offseason.
The Lakers Knicks don't want it
But such a DeRozan, in the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers gave up on him and chose Westbrook. If it weren't for Westbrook, the Lakers wouldn't have to give away Kuzma plus Harrell and Pope chips, because Westbrook's annual salary is much higher than DeRozan's. By the way, westwood and James do not have any chemistry to speak of, he is neither Wade nor Irving, no Wade's ball quotient, and no Irving's offensive threat, so the Lakers choose him and are doomed to fail.
As for Demar DeRozan, he can fully become a good helper around James, and the positions of the two are not in conflict. But the Lakers don't want it, what can be done? Then there are the Knicks, New York Post reporter Marc Berman reported that last offseason, the Knicks were one of the teams that DeRozan was interested in joining, the Knicks have the highest salary space in the league, but they completely ignored DeRozan. Sources said that if the Knicks offer a similar offer, that is, 82 million in 3 years, DeRozan may choose New York.
In the end, the results made by the Knicks, we all know, they chose Walker and Fournier, the result was not satisfactory, last season's Eastern Conference dark horse, this season only ranked fourth from the bottom, became a fish belly team. Whether it's the Lakers or the Knicks, if they choose DeRozan, then the decision will not be the situation it is now. Sadly, they all missed out on this late DeRozan.