The 2021 NBA free agency is off to an electric start, with several teams making big moves to position themselves for a successful 2021-22 season. The majority of the big-name free agents are already off the board, with some of them making surprising and unexpected decisions. Let’s check out the biggest deals and moves.

DeMar DeRozan Joins the Bulls

After spending the previous three seasons with San Antonio Spurs, four-time All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan is off to a new challenge. DeRozan is joining the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal that will see him earn $85 million in the next three years. For their role in the deal, the Spurs gained Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, one first-round pick, and two second-rounders.

DeRozan finished the season averaging 21.6 points, 4.2 boards, and career-high 6.9 assists per game. The 32-year-old guard is expected to lead a revamped Bulls team that also signed guard Lonzo Ball on a four-year, $85 million deal and guard Alex Caruso on a four-year, $37 million contract.

Chris Paul Re-Signs With the Suns

After leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2020-21, Chris Paul decided to run it back with the franchise by inking a new four-year, $120 million contract. Paul, who earned All-Star and All-NBA nods last season, previously declined his $44 million option for 2021-22.

Suns previously also picked up Landry Shamet from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade that saw them give up Jevon Carter and the No. 29 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Kyle Lowry Headed to Miami

The Miami Heat made a big addition to their roster as well, signing All-Star guard Kyle Lowry to a three-year, $90 million contract. Lowry joins from the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal that will see the Heat sending Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in exchange.

Lowry was courted by multiple NBA teams in the free agency but was interested only in the Heat as he wanted to play with Miami’s All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.

Miami made several other moves in the first days of free agency, agreeing to a five year, $90 million extension with sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, and resigning Victor Oladipo.

Lakers Get Carmelo Anthony, Add Several Others

The blockbuster trade for superstar Russell Westbrook left the Lakers with only five players under contract. Still, general manager Rob Pelinka quickly filled out the roster with veterans and young players through free agency.

The biggest news is definitely the addition of Carmelo Anthony, who signed on a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. After being almost out of the league in 2019, Melo bounced back with two successful seasons in Portland and will now have a chance to compete for an NBA Championship with one of his best friends in LeBron James.

Lakers also added veterans Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, and Kent Bazemore while signing pair of young and prospective players in Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk. They also re-signed restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker.

The post NBA Free Agency: DeMar DeRozan Joins Bulls, Chris Paul Re-Signs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan is the latest big name that is being connected with reigning NBA champs Los Angeles Lakers. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Lakers are interested in trading for DeRozan and would be willing to offer Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green in exchange.  

It is unclear whether the Spurs would be interested in making such a trade as it would immediately make them weaker in an already packed Western Conference. Kuzma and Green are fine players, but they don’t offer the same impact on the game as DeRozan.

On the other hand, DeRozan will be out of contract after this season, so it might be the last chance for the Spurs to get something valuable in return for him. They also might be tempted by the prospect of having Kuzma, who showed flashes of big talent in the past and might blossom with a change of scenery.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, getting DeRozan is a no-doubter. He is a four-time All-Star and a player who can take over the game with his scoring any given night. The 31-year-old player is coming from one of his most productive seasons, having averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

However, the Lakers should be concerned about DeMar DeRozan’s fit with their current roster. One of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses is the three-point shooting, and DeRozan is famous for avoiding shooting three-pointers. Also, the Lakers are building a brand as a defensive juggernaut, and DeRozan is almost equally famous for not playing defense.

It now remains to be seen whether the good outweighs the bad for the Lakers and how committed they are to staking their future for another title run.  

The post Lakers Interested in Trading for Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It’s an extension or free agency for San Antonio Spurs’ guard DeMar DeRozan. According to Yahoo Sports, DeRozan will decline his player option and become a free agent if he doesn’t agree to an extension with the Spurs by June.

DeRozan has one year left on his old deal, which pays him $27.7 million. But thanks to an opt-out clause, the 30-year-old can become a free agent and likely command a bigger number on the free market.

This might be a wise decision, considering that this summer won’t be so star-studded like 2019’s free agency. If he enters the free-agent market, DeRozan could easily be one of the biggest names available and in line for a maximum contract. Some of the teams that have shown early interest are New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.

DeMar DeRozan has been playing very well this season, despite the fact that San Antonio Spurs seem like they won’t be able to catch the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. DeRozan is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a career-high 52.6 percent from the field.

DeRozan joined San Antonio in the summer of 2018 as part of a blockbuster trade that helped Toronto Raptors land Kawhi Leonard. He previously spent the previous nine seasons with the Raptors, who took him ninth overall in 2009.

The post Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan Will Opt Out of His Contract if He Doesn’t Sign an Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The 2021 NBA free agency is off to an electric start, with several teams making big moves to position themselves for a successful 2021-22 season. The majority of the big-name free agents are already off the board, with some of them making surprising and unexpected decisions. Let’s check out the biggest deals and moves.

DeMar DeRozan Joins the Bulls

After spending the previous three seasons with San Antonio Spurs, four-time All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan is off to a new challenge. DeRozan is joining the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal that will see him earn $85 million in the next three years. For their role in the deal, the Spurs gained Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, one first-round pick, and two second-rounders.

DeRozan finished the season averaging 21.6 points, 4.2 boards, and career-high 6.9 assists per game. The 32-year-old guard is expected to lead a revamped Bulls team that also signed guard Lonzo Ball on a four-year, $85 million deal and guard Alex Caruso on a four-year, $37 million contract.

Chris Paul Re-Signs With the Suns

After leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2020-21, Chris Paul decided to run it back with the franchise by inking a new four-year, $120 million contract. Paul, who earned All-Star and All-NBA nods last season, previously declined his $44 million option for 2021-22.

Suns previously also picked up Landry Shamet from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade that saw them give up Jevon Carter and the No. 29 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Kyle Lowry Headed to Miami

The Miami Heat made a big addition to their roster as well, signing All-Star guard Kyle Lowry to a three-year, $90 million contract. Lowry joins from the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal that will see the Heat sending Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in exchange.

Lowry was courted by multiple NBA teams in the free agency but was interested only in the Heat as he wanted to play with Miami’s All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.

Miami made several other moves in the first days of free agency, agreeing to a five year, $90 million extension with sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, and resigning Victor Oladipo.

Lakers Get Carmelo Anthony, Add Several Others

The blockbuster trade for superstar Russell Westbrook left the Lakers with only five players under contract. Still, general manager Rob Pelinka quickly filled out the roster with veterans and young players through free agency.

The biggest news is definitely the addition of Carmelo Anthony, who signed on a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. After being almost out of the league in 2019, Melo bounced back with two successful seasons in Portland and will now have a chance to compete for an NBA Championship with one of his best friends in LeBron James.

Lakers also added veterans Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, and Kent Bazemore while signing pair of young and prospective players in Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk. They also re-signed restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker.

The post NBA Free Agency: DeMar DeRozan Joins Bulls, Chris Paul Re-Signs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan is the latest big name that is being connected with reigning NBA champs Los Angeles Lakers. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Lakers are interested in trading for DeRozan and would be willing to offer Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green in exchange.  

It is unclear whether the Spurs would be interested in making such a trade as it would immediately make them weaker in an already packed Western Conference. Kuzma and Green are fine players, but they don’t offer the same impact on the game as DeRozan.

On the other hand, DeRozan will be out of contract after this season, so it might be the last chance for the Spurs to get something valuable in return for him. They also might be tempted by the prospect of having Kuzma, who showed flashes of big talent in the past and might blossom with a change of scenery.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, getting DeRozan is a no-doubter. He is a four-time All-Star and a player who can take over the game with his scoring any given night. The 31-year-old player is coming from one of his most productive seasons, having averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

However, the Lakers should be concerned about DeMar DeRozan’s fit with their current roster. One of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses is the three-point shooting, and DeRozan is famous for avoiding shooting three-pointers. Also, the Lakers are building a brand as a defensive juggernaut, and DeRozan is almost equally famous for not playing defense.

It now remains to be seen whether the good outweighs the bad for the Lakers and how committed they are to staking their future for another title run.  

The post Lakers Interested in Trading for Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It’s an extension or free agency for San Antonio Spurs’ guard DeMar DeRozan. According to Yahoo Sports, DeRozan will decline his player option and become a free agent if he doesn’t agree to an extension with the Spurs by June.

DeRozan has one year left on his old deal, which pays him $27.7 million. But thanks to an opt-out clause, the 30-year-old can become a free agent and likely command a bigger number on the free market.

This might be a wise decision, considering that this summer won’t be so star-studded like 2019’s free agency. If he enters the free-agent market, DeRozan could easily be one of the biggest names available and in line for a maximum contract. Some of the teams that have shown early interest are New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.

DeMar DeRozan has been playing very well this season, despite the fact that San Antonio Spurs seem like they won’t be able to catch the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. DeRozan is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a career-high 52.6 percent from the field.

DeRozan joined San Antonio in the summer of 2018 as part of a blockbuster trade that helped Toronto Raptors land Kawhi Leonard. He previously spent the previous nine seasons with the Raptors, who took him ninth overall in 2009.

The post Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan Will Opt Out of His Contract if He Doesn’t Sign an Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.