DeMar DeRozan, Bulls far apart on contract extension

Small forward DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls remain far apart in talks on a possible contract extension, at least partially fueling the chatter that he could be available ahead of the February trade deadline.

Per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT, the Bulls and DeRozan aren’t close to agreeing to a new deal. But DeRozan was being mentioned in trade rumors before that, dating back to at least January of last season.

DeRozan, 34, is 6-foot-6, always a professional and perhaps the NBA’s best mid-range scorer. He is averaging 21.8 points and 5.0 assists in 21 games.

In the event the Bulls decide to explore DeRozan trades, the New York Knicks and Miami Heat would be his preferred destinations, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Of course, he’s not even the Bulls player being mentioned most in trade rumors. That would be none other than guard Zach LaVine, currently sidelined with a foot injury. LaVine is drawing interest from the Lakers, 76ers and others, as we relayed here.