DeMar DeRozan Rumors: Heat 'Slight Favorites' for Bulls FA amid Lakers Buzz
July 3, 2024
Amid a pursuit from the Los Angeles Lakers for Chicago Bulls free agent DeMar DeRozan, the Miami Heat have emerged as the favorite to land the veteran guard, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha.
"The Lakers aggressively pursued Klay Thompson, but Thompson turned down their offer of more years and money from the Lakers to join the Dallas Mavericks, according to league sources," Buha wrote. "They've now turned their attention to DeMar DeRozan, though the Miami Heat are currently viewed as slight favorites to land the 15-year veteran and six-time All-Star, according to league sources."
DeRozan, 34, averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while guiding a struggling Bulls team. He's coming off a three-year, $81.9 million deal with Chicago and could be on his way out this summer.
The pursuit of DeRozan from the Lakers comes after a failed attempt to lure veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson—who ultimately picked the Dallas Mavericks—to Los Angeles.
Still looking to get a star this offseason, it's likely Los Angeles will continue to be aggressive in both the free-agent and trade markets.
The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson first reported on Tuesday that there is mutual interest between the Heat and DeRozan. To make a push for DeRozan, the Heat will have to offload some of their current salaries. Teams above the first apron can't acquire players via sign-and-trade, and the Heat are already projected to be $9 million over, according to Spotrac.
The Heat have reached a pair of Finals series since 2020 behind All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, but have been unable to bring home a title. DeRozan could aid in those efforts as the Heat look to bounce back from a season that saw them capture the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.