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DeMar DeRozan heads to Brooklyn in this surprising trade proposal
The Chicago Bulls have many questions that need answers when the trade deadline comes on February 8. One involves veteran wingman DeMar DeRozan, who’s playing in the final year of the three-year pact he signed in 2021.
Talks regarding a contract extension have remained quiet so far. However, if the Bulls and DeRozan’s representatives fail to get anything done, the former All-Star could be out of Chicago. The team risks losing him without getting anything in return in the offseason.
But what would a trade for the multiple-time All-Star look like? Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has an idea involving the up-and-coming Brooklyn Nets.
Deebo to the Nets package
Should the Bulls’ front office decide to pull the trigger on a DeRozan deal, a package composed of scoring guard Spencer Dinwiddie, “3-and-D” forward Royce O’Neal, and a top-eight protected first-round pick in 2027 may get the job done.
DeRozan’s departure would leave a large hole that needs to be filled, and Dinwiddie has proven to be a reliable scorer and playmaker who can also run an offense. O’Neal would bring a needed defensive presence on the wing, while the future first-round pick gives Chicago some long-term value.
“If Zach LaVine returns to form and Coby White continues his ascension, they could be just as competitive after this deal. So, throw in the fact they'd be adding a future first, and they could have a hard time turning this down,” Buckley wrote.
Nets would benefit from DeRozan's presence
The Nets have a nice core to build around—Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and microwave scorer Cam Thomas—and the addition of DeRozan brings to the team much-needed leadership and veteran savvy.
“Their offense badly needs more off-the-dribble juice, and DeRozan could provide that while also perking up their playmaking and captaining their late-game offense, which hasn't been great (15th in clutch offensive efficiency),” Buckley explained.
“The 34-year-old is tallying his typical 21.9 points and 5.3 assists per outing, and his January field-goal connection rate of 48 percent is his best of any month so far.”
