This season, the Bulls failed to make the playoffs through the playoffs. However, this offseason, there is one player whose early contract extension will definitely be a priority for the Bulls: All-Star guard DeRozan.
According to the Bulls reporter, the Bulls have offered DeRozan a 2-year, $50 million contract extension, but the latter refused, DeRozan wants a 4-year, $100 million or 3-year contract extension of at least $80 million.
Although the average annual salary of 2-year $50 million contract and 4-year $100 million contract is $25 million, from DeRozan's point of view, he is almost 34 years old this year, and the next contract is most likely the last big contract of his career, so DeRozan will certainly not compromise on the issue of years.
DeRozan's current contract is $81.9 million for three years and $26 million this season, and this contract expires in the summer of 2024. That said, next season is DeRozan's contract year.
In this way, the contract provided by the bulls not only requires DeRozan to accept a salary cut, but also asks DeRozan to make concessions on the issue of years, which is somewhat bullying.
In the regular season this season, DeRozan averaged 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 36.4 minutes per game, shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from three-point range and 87.1 percent from the free-throw line.
With DeRozan's ability and form, there should be no big problem in seeking a 4-year, $100 million contract, knowing that there are actually many teams interested in him, such as the Lakers and Clippers in Los Angeles, who are more interested in DeRozan and regard him as a target for reinforcements.
As we all know, DeRozan has always had the reputation of "mid-range shooting king", and he is second only to the core of the team LaVine in the Bulls' tactical system, and even at key moments of the game, the person who can often help the team open up the situation on the offensive end is DeRozan, who is good at mid-shooting.
Under the current circumstances, if the Bulls do not defend to achieve effective reinforcement this offseason, it will still be difficult for them to make the playoffs next season, especially on the issue of DeRozan's early contract extension, if the Bulls' attitude is still like this, I am afraid that in the middle of the season, DeRozan, who has not won a championship in his career, is very likely to have the idea of leaving.
There is no doubt that once DeRozan decides to leave the Bulls, the championship team that interests him will definitely make a good offer, while the Bulls, as long as they lose DeRozan, will completely lose the possibility of returning to the playoffs.