It looks like both teams will sign an extension later in the summer after the Bulls decided not to deal DeRozan before the trade deadline on Thursday.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 30 points in a victory against the undermanned Grizzlies on Thursday after remaining put at the trade deadline.
Tennessee’s Memphis DeMar DeRozan has talked about it nonstop for the past week.
The world is aware that DeRozan is not a planner, and he even finds it offensive when others think about them, thanks to several interviews.
DeRozan even said on Thursday that he waits until the morning before leaving to pack for road trips.
He won’t be packing up to leave for another organization very soon, so that mindset might be helpful.
When asked if he would probably re-sign with the Bulls after they decided not to move him at the deadline, DeRozan replied, “It’s kind of like with your spouse.
” It’s a partnership. It’s as if to say, “What can we do to work on this, baby?” Together, let’s solve this puzzle. You desire me. You are mine. There is love.
And since DeRozan, 34, is expected to enter free agency this summer, the funds will probably be available. After deciding not to trade DeRozan, the Bulls will probably attempt to re-sign him, much like they did with Nikola Vucevic the previous year.
It’s a good thing they didn’t because they needed him against an undermanned Grizzlies team. DeRozan’s game-high 30 points lifted the Bulls (25-27) to a 118-110 victory
“Yes, I love DeMar,” executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said. “He’s huge for this team, for the city, this organization. He’s been our closer. I think it’s wonderful for this team, and hopefully, when the time comes, we have a chance to keep him.”
Not that any of this was a surprise.
A source said the Bulls engaged in trade talks for DeRozan, but nothing ever reached the point where final names were being kicked around.
The plan that has been etched in pencil has been to keep DeRozan, then get back to the negotiating table that both sides walked away from amicably in the fall.
Those plans haven’t changed even with the Bulls not bringing in any help. But DeRozan wasn’t complaining about that.
“Have I ever looked unhappy?” DeRozan said. “Have I ever given any type of notion that I wanted to be somewhere else? Any mannerisms or anything? So all I can do is control myself, and the position I’m in. Anybody who knows me, whatever job I have, I’m going to give it my all — on the court, outside the court, for my teammates, the fans, to whoever appreciates it.”
