Bulls' DeMar DeRozan Discusses NBA Future, Free Agency Ahead of Contract Decision

After the Chicago Bulls' 112-91 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference's eight-seed play-in game on Friday, Bulls veteran wing DeMar DeRozan gave some potential insight into his future.

DeRozan, who will hit free agency this offseason, told reporters that while he would like to remain in Chicago, he also wants to win: "My stance on wanting to be here is still the same, but I just want to win. Just have the opportunity to win and not [have] to go home to see the first round of the playoffs, second round of the playoffs. It's frustrating."

At 34 years of age, the six-time All-Star just completed his 15th NBA season, and he is still in search of his first NBA championship.

DeRozan made it clear that he feels he is approaching the end of his career, and that winning will weigh heavily on his free agency decision, saying:

"I hate losing. I hate missing opportunities. It really hits after the season. You look up, last seconds run off, and you don't have another game. Next time I play a game will be my 16th season. You realize the window closes for you personally. I'm not trying to play 25 years or nothing like that."

When asked by reporters what he wants to see from the Bulls that would potentially convince him to re-sign, DeRozan said: "A team that gives us a chance to make a run."

On Saturday, Bulls executive Artūras Karnišovas told reporters that "both sides are interested in continuing" when asked about a possible contract extension for DeRozan.

DeRozan was named an All-Star in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, and although he did not earn that distinction this season, he remained highly productive into his mid-30s.

Appearing in 79 games, DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest, and he was once again the Bulls' leading scorer.

The Bulls went 39-43 this season and fell one win short of the playoffs after falling to Miami in the play-in game. With that, Chicago has now missed the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons.

While the Bulls made the playoffs in 2022 with DeRozan leading the way, they fell in the first round, and have yet to go on a deep playoff run during his tenure.

The Bulls have some solid pieces in place for next season, including Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević and Coby White, although they could look to move LaVine, who was the subject of constant trade rumors this season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

Trading LaVine would likely be a move for the future more so than a win-now move, and it is fair to wonder if that would seal the deal on DeRozan wanting to leave and play for a contender.

Most contenders don't have a significant amount of money to spend in free agency, but if DeRozan wants to go somewhere else badly enough, he could always be part of a sign-and-trade, or possibly take significantly less than he is worth in free agency.

The Bulls have not been title threats with DeRozan as their No. 1 option, but if he can land with a team that allows him to be a secondary or tertiary scoring option, that could be a situation conducive to winning.