Report: DeMar DeRozan To Wait Until Paul George Makes Decision To Get Better Feel Of Market

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, DeMar DeRozan will wait until Paul George makes his decision to get a better feel of his market. 

DeRozan and George are unrestricted free agents.

George is meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. 

DeRozan is expected to leave the Chicago Bulls, who are rebuilding. 

“It is believed that DeRozan, with no discernible momentum since the NBA Finals toward a new contract from the Bulls, is likely to wait until George makes his decision to get a better feel for his non-Chicago options,” Stein wrote. “Could DeRozan emerge as the Clippers’ replacement for George if they ultimately need one? He obviously doesn’t play the same 3-and-D game as George, but he’s another highly productive Southern Californian who has been more durable. DeRozan, 34, has missed only 17 games combined in his three seasons as a Bull.”

The Clippers could sign DeRozan if they lose George. 

DeRozan appeared in 79 games for the Bulls in 2023-24. The USC product averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 48.0% from the floor, 33.3% from 3 and 85.3% from the free-throw line.  

DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. 

DeRozan has career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Toronto Raptors, Spurs and Bulls. He’s made three All-NBA teams and six All-Star teams. 

The Bulls missed the playoffs this year, while the Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round in six games. 

One of the top players in the NBA, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24 while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line.

The Clippers are only offering George a three-year deal. The swingman wants a four-year deal.