As it usually happens around the NBA, the start of free agency was complete mayhem. The Los Angeles Lakers signed most veterans, and the Chicago Bulls were one of the biggest winners of the first couple of days.
One of the most shocking signings of free agency came precisely from the Windy City. Even though most people expected DeMar DeRozan to go back home and play in Los Angeles, Arturas Karnisovas swooped in at the eleventh hour and got his star.
DeRozan was also drawing plenty of interest from the Los Angeles Clippers. But, according to a recent report, it seems like neither he nor his agent ever considered that team as a real possibility for him.
DeRozan Didnāt Even Want To Meet With The Clippers
According to Chris Haynes, DeRozanās agent Aaron Goodwin called the Los Angeles Clippers out of mere courtesy, just to let them know that they should just cancel their meeting and call it a day:
āThe Clippersā brass were driving,ā Haynes said, as quoted by All Clippers. āThey were on their way to DeMarās house. Things got a little more interesting with the Bulls. DeMar DeRozanās agent, Aaron Goodwinā¦called the Clippers out of courtesy and was like āyou know what, letās not waste anybodyās time. Out of respect for you guys, letās cancel this meeting.āā
Apparently, DeRozan had already made up his mind and was ready to sign with the Chicago Bulls, who offered him more money than, well any other team couldāve offered him in the offseason.
āThe Clippersā offer, if they were given the chance to make it, likely would not have been able to compete with that of the Bullsā. Like Chicago, LA wouldāve had to acquire DeRozan via sign-and-trade, as they only had the $5.9 million Tax-Payer Mid-Level Exception to offer for DeRozan straight up. Even if LA were willing to give up key pieces of their rotation in a sign-and-trade, it would be tough to reach the figure the Bulls were able to get to,ā reported Haynes.
Now, DeRozan will look to bring the show back to the Windy City next to Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and former USC teammate Nikola Vucevic. And while he may not have the same shot at a ring that he wouldāve had in Los Angeles, heāll definitely have more zeros in his bank account.





