Bulls GM 'Would Love If' DeMar DeRozan Was with Chicago; Talks Trade with Kings

Chicago Bulls general manager Marc Eversley said he wishes DeMar DeRozan was still with the team but acknowledged it was time for both sides to move on.

"You know, the pivot away from him, I would love if he was still a Chicago Bull right now. But I think doing right by the organization and letting him explore that opportunity to go somewhere else and try to win, we were not positioned well enough to bring him back. And two, trying to help him chase that dream (of winning) as well," Eversley told reporters Sunday.

The Bulls agreed to a sign-and-trade deal earlier this month that sent DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings traded Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash to Chicago, while Harrison Barnes and a 2031 pick swap were sent to the San Antonio Spurs.

DeRozan inked a three-year, $73.9 million deal with the Kings as part of the deal. Eversley said the Bulls will miss DeRozan's leadership ability in the locker room.

"I think he was an extension of (coach) Billy (Donovan) on the court and off the court. The three years he gave us were unbelievable, far exceeded my expectations," Eversley said.

Chicago is in the midst of what will likely be a multiyear rebuild. In addition to signing-and-trading DeRozan, the Bulls also sent veteran guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey.

The front office is expected to continue exploring trade avenues, with Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic being the most likely trade targets in the coming months.