The New York Knicks were reportedly in the market for current Chicago Bull DeMar DeRozan at the trade deadline.
With the six-time All-Star due to hit the free agent market this offseason, it stands to reason that they’ll re-open those interests.
A free agency forecast from Bleacher Report kept that in mind, listing DeRozan as the Knicks’ “dream” target this summer.
“There’s plenty of scoring in this team’s starting five with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle,” Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey notes. “But the second unit could use a bit of an offensive boost, and DeRozan could provide that against backups.”
DeRozan is averaging just over 23 points, five assists, and four rebounds so far this season, which has him leading the league in minutes per game (37.7). The Bulls (34-35) seem destined for the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament for the second consecutive season and it’d hardly be a surprise to see DeRozan, 34, opt for a change of scenery, even if it means he’d have to come off the bench.
The only way DeRozan would wind up in the Knicks’ starting five would probably be if OG Anunoby opted to walk this offseason. But New York has been looking for scoring help on the second unit since Immanuel Quickley was traded to land Anunoby and DeRozan could easily fill that role if he’s willing to take a backseat of sorts. DeRozan’s veteran presence would also be welcome on a Knicks team that is trying to contend every year.
New York faces DeRozan and the Bulls three times over the final month of the regular season. In the meantime, the Knicks face the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Thursday night (9 p.m. ET, MSG).
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