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The Chicago Bulls are probably the team that has seen the most significant improvement since the start of free agency. This has a lot to do with the arrival of DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs, who apparently turned down offers from both the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
According to Farbod Esnaashari of SI.com, the primary reason DeRozan decided to turn down both LA teams was that he did not want to sign on a discount:
Sources around the league confirmed the Clippers' interest in DeRozan, but there was never a clear confirmation on DeRozan accepting a pay cut to join the team. Other sources indicated that DeRozan didn't want to take any form of a severe pay cut for either LA team, and that's what ultimately ended up happening.
The Bulls agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Spurs which involves DeRozan putting pen to paper on a three-year deal worth $85 million. The Lakers and Clippers were not able to make an offer of this magnitude, which is why the only way DeRozan would have been able to join either LA team was if he took a significant pay cut.
DeMar DeRozan, a Compton native, indicated previously that he had an inclination to play in his hometown of Los Angeles. However, it is clear that at this point in his career, he has put a higher premium on getting paid — and understandably so. He also would have had a better shot at winning a championship with either the Lakers or Clippers, but with how the Bulls are shaping up right now, maybe the title isn't too out of reach for Chicago at this point.
