Bulls superstar wants out of Chicago; Josh Giddey trade was 'final straw'

Not everyone has been pleased with the Chicago Bulls' offseason moves, including one of their own players.

The Bulls kicked off their transformative summer on June 20 by trading Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for 21-year-old point guard Josh Giddey.

It was a move for Chicago that signaled the arrival of a new youth movement, which -- reinforced by the signings of Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith -- has been met with general excitement by Bulls Nation.

Apparently, the trade for Giddey also irritated DeMar DeRozan.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Monday that DeRozan officially wants out of Chicago, with the Giddey trade having spurred the final step toward his decision.

“A source told the Sun-Times late Sunday night that the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey trade was the final straw in DeRozan’s mind for any sort of return, as the 34-year-old will now use his free agency to shop elsewhere,” Cowley said.

DeRozan realizes, like everyone else, that the Bulls are rebuilding. He wants no part in it, and who could blame him? DeRozan is more than capable of helping a contender, and at 34 years old, he only has a few more chances at a ring.

A split with DeRozan also benefits Chicago, by the way. The Bulls are looking to (tastefully) tank in 2024-25 to retain their top-10 protected pick in the stacked 2025 NBA Draft.

DeRozan has no use for the Bulls, and the Bulls have no use for him, given their new direction.

The most recent buzz places DeRozan next to LeBron James as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

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