Josh Giddey trade the ‘final straw’ that led to DeMar DeRozan’s Bulls exit

Chicago’s questionable trade for Josh Giddey was the “final straw” that pushed DeMar DeRozan to decide he would leave the team.

The Bulls sealed their fate with DeMar DeRozan.

Chicago’s questionable trade for Josh Giddey was the “final straw” that pushed DeRozan to decide he would leave the team in free agency this off-season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

DeRozan has yet to find a new home but is one of the top available free agents, ranked fourth entering free agency by the New York Post.

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The 34-year-old had been considering a potential return to the Bulls after three seasons in Chicago, but several events ultimately shifted his view.

The Chicago Sun-Times noted coaching changes and “behind-the-scenes personnel decisions” as two factors that resulted in DeRozan “quickly having second thoughts”.

Giddey landing in Chicago was a factor to DeMar’s exit. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Former Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. and Clippers assistant Dan Craig are joining Billy Donovan’s staff in place of assistants Chris Fleming and Josh Longstaff.

The Giddey trade ultimately broke the camel’s back.

The Bulls traded away Alex Caruso, a defensive whiz with a championship pedigree, for Giddey, a younger player coming off a disappointing end to the season with the Thunder.

Giddey was also accused of an alleged relationship with an underage girl, although charges were never pressed.

“DeRozan realised he was not in the Bulls’ plans, and he really no longer wanted to be,” the outlet reported.

DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls. Photo by Michael Reaves / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The 15-year veteran is now free to join a team that likely is closer to contending than the Bulls, who made the playoffs just once in his three seasons.

Chicago’s season ended with a loss to the Heat in the Play-In Tournament.

DeRozan averaged 24 points per game on 48 per cent shooting this past campaign, to go along with 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists.

He averaged 25.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 rebounds during his three seasons in Chicago.

The Lakers, who await LeBron James’ re-signing with the team after he opted out of his contract, are considered a possible destination, per the report.

DeRozan spent the first nine years of his career with the Raptors before being traded to the Spurs in the Kawhi Leonard deal that helped Toronto win its first title.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Josh Giddey trade the ‘final straw’ that led to DeMar DeRozan’s Bulls exit