DeMar DeRozan was already considering joining the Chicago Bulls in free agency because of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, but it was the Lonzo Ball signing that sealed the deal for him.
Earlier, the former San Antonio Spurs scorer admitted that the prospect of playing alongside LaVine and his former USC teammate Vucevic really appealed to him. In fact, he said he has been a big fan of LaVine since the 26-year-old entered the NBA in 2014.
“The talent. Obviously great city. Great organization. The history behind it is definitely amazing. But for sure the talent. Looking at players like Zach. I’ve been a fan of Zach since he’s been in the league,” the new Bulls combo guard said, per Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. “Just looking at the overall squad. Seeing Vucevic there, that was my teammate in college. So it’s been great.”
However, during his introductory press conference, DeMar DeRozan highlighted that he found the Bulls' situation even more attractive after Lonzo Ball signed.
Speaking on his introductory Zoom media session, DeMar DeRozan said the core of Vucevic and LaVine and the city of Chicago appealed to him. When Lonzo Ball signed, it made situation even more attractive.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 13, 2021
DeRozan inked a three-year, $85 million deal with the Bulls. Meanwhile, Ball got the same amount but for four years.
It will be interesting to see how the partnership of DeRozan and Ball will work alongside LaVine and Vucevic. However, there is no doubt the Windy City franchise has become one of the more exciting teams in league heading into the 2021-22 season. With Zo's playmaking, Zach's athleticism, DeMar's mid-range scoring and Vucevic's post-game, Chicago's offense is brewing to be a dangerous one.
