The Chicago Bulls face a massive choice right now. They’ve got to resist the urge to bring back DeMar DeRozan. It’d be a huge mistake for their future. They’ve already built a promising young core with Bryson Graham. They need to stop looking back at the past and start looking forward. Signing the former star would block the path to the next level.
The Rebuild Needs Space, Not Stardust
Chicago spent this offseason getting their roster ready for a long haul. They brought in Nic Claxton to fix the center spot. They added Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the draft. They also signed Norman Powell and Zach Collins to fill out the bench. These moves give the team flexibility. They don’t need to fill every single spot right now. The free agent market is thinning out, which makes their next move clear. They should keep their last roster spot open. This allows them to wait for the right trade target to appear.
Per Pippen Ain’t Easy, the Bulls hold an unused mid-level exception. They can use this later in the season. The goal is to take on a bad contract from another team. In exchange, they want future draft picks. This strategy helps them gather more assets. It’s the smart play for a team that isn’t trying to win the title yet. They need to be patient. Rushing to sign an old star hurts this plan.
DeRozan Is a Step Backward
DeMar DeRozan is available after being waived by the Sacramento Kings. It’s tempting to bring him back. He was a great scorer for Chicago before. But his numbers have dropped since he left. In his last season with the Kings, he shot just 32.0% from three-point range. He averaged 18.4 points per game. The Bulls need a player who can learn from the young guys. They need someone who will let Dailyn Swain and other rookies take minutes. DeRozan wants a major role. He doesn’t fit the current plan.
The article notes that DeRozan’s time in Chicago was a failure in terms of value. The team paid him a lot of money. They didn’t get deep playoff runs in return. Paying him again, even on a cheap deal, repeats that error. The team needs to move on. They have a new era starting now. Bringing back the past stops that progress. It blocks the path to getting those draft picks they crave.
Patience Pays Off in the Long Run
The best move is to wait. The Bulls have tradeable contracts and financial flexibility. They can target players like Jakob Poeltl or Christian Braun later. These moves could bring in more draft capital. This is better than signing a veteran who won’t fit. The team has a solid rotation already. Claxton, Collins, and Jalen Smith will handle the frontcourt. Powell and Swain add depth to the backcourt. They don’t need another scorer to fill a gap.
According to Pippen Ain’t Easy, the option to flip a cheap free agent for draft capital is gone. The market has changed. Now the only way to get picks is to take on a bad deal. The roster spot is the key to that trade. Using it on DeRozan wastes that asset. The Bulls must stay disciplined. They have the right pieces to win in the future. Don’t let emotion dictate the final move.
Do you think the Bulls should sign DeRozan or wait for a trade? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
