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

Will Deebo stay with the Chicago Bulls?

Stephen Beslic

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The free agency period can be harrowing for a player, as they are uncertain where they will end up next season. However, that might not be a worry for Chicago Bulls All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan. According to a recent report, the 15-year veteran is pegged to sign a contract extension before the much-anticipated free agency period kicks off.

Is DeRozan staying or leaving?

The Bulls have placed themselves in an uncompromising position. DeRozan is playing in the final year of a three-year pact with Chicago. This offseason, he will be an unrestricted free agent, which means the Bulls can't control his future and may even lose him to a competing team without getting any assets in return.

Many experts and fans have long urged Chicago’s front office to tear this roster down. However, judging from their inactivity at the trade deadline, that likely won’t happen anytime soon. This leaves the door open for DeRozan to sign an extension with the Bulls this summer.

“Several competing executives believe Chicago should blow up its roster. But if the Bulls disagree, then extending DeMar DeRozan makes a lot of sense,” Eric Pincus wrote.

“The veteran is the team's top scorer, scoring 23.3 points a game, and is one of the Bulls' most durable players this season despite his age (35 in August). DeRozan may not need much of a raise over his current salary, based on what teams project to have money this summer.”

The numbers could work

Reports have previously mentioned that Deebo is open for another tour of duty in the Windy City, provided the numbers make sense. Based on what the market looks like for the upcoming free agency period, it seems like DeRozan could be in a good position to negotiate a new contract with the Bulls.

Pincus remarked, “Adding two or three years could work in June, making DeRozan the most likely player to extend this offseason before hitting free agency in July.”

Chicago Bulls hang on to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, 110-107

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Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

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