Despite the winning stretch the Chicago Bulls are on so far, it’s clear the team needs to make moves to rid itself of its disjointed and high-priced core.
With DeMar DeRozan yet to make progress on negotiations for a new contract with the Bulls, it makes sense to trade the veteran rather than watch him walk away for nothing next summer.
That said, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has proposed a trade that would send the five-time All-Star to the freefalling Detroit Pistons.
DeRozan for a first-round pick, a young, talented guard, and a veteran shooter
In this trade idea, the Bulls would send the 15-year pro to Motown in exchange for Joe Harris, Killian Hayes, and a top-five protected 2026 first-round pick. At the onset, it doesn’t make sense for Detroit—a team that has lost 24 games in a row—to acquire a veteran rather than accrue either young talent or draft capital.
However, a report from The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III indicated Detroit is keen on adding veterans like OG Anunoby and Tobias Harris to their squad. So, if that’s the path the Pistons want to take, perhaps DeRozan could be a player they’ll consider.
“If, indeed, that’s the direction Detroit chooses to go, Chicago Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan is another option for someone who might be able to add stability and share some of the knowledge gained through experience with the Pistons’ young roster,” Bailey wrote.
“He wouldn’t solve the team’s massive issue with outside shooting, but his ability to handle the ball and engineer individual possessions would take some pressure off Cade Cunningham, who’s been a turnover machine this season.”
Although the Bulls are playing better basketball of late, claiming six victories in their last nine games, the consensus remains that this team’s ceiling is the Play-in Tournament. This means a teardown of sorts is in order, and DeRozan or any of its veterans could be valuable assets the team could use to acquire a precious draft pick.
“Chicago needs to get whatever it can for DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and/or LaVine,” Bailey shared.
“If another team is willing to sacrifice a first-round pick for him, even a protected one, the Bulls would have to seriously consider moving him.”
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