DeMar DeRozan lands in no. 50 in the early season edition of player rankings

Deebo remains a member of the NBA's elite.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan is the epitome of the saying, “A tiger cannot change his stripes.” Although he’s shooting more from beyond the arc than he has in the last seven years, Deebo remains the master of the midrange, as lethal inside the arc as any player in the league. For his efforts, DeMar lands at no. 50 in Bleacher Report’s early season player rankings.

Reliable as ever from the midrange

Now in his 15th year in the league, DeMar remains as consistent as ever from the midrange. DeRozan has extended his range to beyond the three-point line, where he’s making 37 percent of his shots. 

However, the former USC Trojan knows what his bread and butter is, and that’s attacking the basket. His crafty footwork continues to elude defenders, and DeRozan remains one of the most efficient players in the league inside the arc.

“The man seemingly tasked with keeping the mid-range game alive in today's NBA is doing more of the same in 2023-24—just with a bit less volume as he settles for deeper jumpers and attacks the basket less frequently,” Adam Fromal wrote.

“DeMar DeRozan is still taking 21.4 percent of his shots from between 10 and 16 feet, as well as 28.9 percent of his shots from even deeper two-point territory, and he's connecting on those shots at 39.7 and 37.0 percent clips, respectively. If those numbers normalize to his career averages (44.7 and 40.2), he'll push closer to matching last year's 24.5 points per game while getting the Chicago Bulls off the schneid.”

DeMar DeRozan with a TOUGH and-1 💪
pic.twitter.com/QgmvtEjqXP

— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) December 7, 2023

His future remains in doubt

Deebo’s future in the Windy City, though, remains uncertain. Now playing in the final year of the three-year pact he signed in 2021, the Bulls are currently weighing their options as they first try to move All-Star wingman Zach LaVine and see what the roster looks like then.

It’s not clear what the Bulls plan to do with DeRozan, who the team risks losing for nothing if they aren’t able to agree on a contract extension before the 2021-2022 season begins.

Regardless of his fate with the team, DeRozan has been nothing but professional in Chicago and continues to be a leader for the Bulls on and off the court. He’s currently averaging 21.5 points and 4.9 assists per game.

Deebo from deep 🎯@NBCSChicago | @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/xGtYth1Urz

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 3, 2023

DeMar DeRozan takes pride in running Chicago's fast-paced offense: "Just being unselfish, pushing the pace"