DeMar DeRozan on Damian Lillard coming to Chicago to watch him play

"To see him come out here and support me and watch his old team was cool."

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA schedule is so unforgiving that it’s not often that players have time for themselves. And when they do, they certainly don’t spend it going to an NBA ballgame that doesn’t involve their team. However, on Monday night, that was what eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard did, as he traveled to Chicago to watch his friend and former Team USA teammate DeMar DeRozan play.

DeRozan was pleasantly surprised by Lillard's presence. In an interview after the game, the former USC Trojan expressed his appreciation for Lillard's support and described it as a special moment.​​

A cool moment

DeRozan shared he was waking up from a pre-game nap when he read a text message from the Milwaukee Bucks star, asking him for some tickets to their match against Lillard’s former squad, the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard was coming off a spectacular performance against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday and decided to spend his time supporting both the Blazers and DeRozan.

"It was cool," DeRozan said.

"I woke up from my nap and he texted me. And I was like, 'Alright, I got you with my tickets.' That's one of my good friends outside of basketball. To see him come out here and support me and watch his old team was cool."

Damian Lillard at the United Center to watch tonight’s game between the Portland Trailblazers and Chicago Bulls! 👀

Dame checking out his old team & supporting his buddy DeMar Derozan! pic.twitter.com/i2NEv3VZxu

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) March 19, 2024

A close bond

For the uninitiated, DeRozan and Lillard are thick as thieves. Aside from sharing the same agent—Aaron Goodwin—DeRozan attended Lillard’s wedding while the latter was a guest on the former’s brand-new digital series, “Dinners with DeMar.” Lillard’s episode is set to air on DeRozan’s YouTube channel later this month.

Make sure y’all check this out. DeMar is helping change the stigma around mental health (especially for men and boys) with this. My episode with DeMar drops soon. 🫡 @DeMar_DeRozan https://t.co/abTdfoZknu

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 21, 2024

The report pegs DeMar DeRozan as a player who could sign a contract extension before the free agency period kicks off