The Chicago Bulls quarterback, DeMar DeRozan, just announced his retirement.

Though Zach LaVine is the Chicago Bulls’ main trade target during this crucial window, DeRozan believes nothing has changed about his future with the team.

DeRozan claims he wants to stay in Chicago, despite a report from Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report stating that he and the Bulls are “far away” when it comes to reaching an agreement on a contract extension.

To DeRozan, “Chicago is Chicago.” He stated this to the Tribune. “I adore this place. It goes without saying that I would like to work there. All of that remains unchanged. I have no more questions, feelings, or recommendations to share. That doesn’t occur to me.

The 34-year-old DeRozan has expressed his intention to retire in Chicago and has never wavered in his verbal commitment to the Bulls. However, it might be a little trickier to get a contract extension approved.

DeRozan inked an $81.9 million, three-year contract in 2021; it expires this summer. Unquestionably, he has earned every penny of that contract, leading the Bulls in scoring, playmaking, and leadership roles and winning back-to-back All-Star selections.

As he approaches a new deal, DeRozan could receive up to $179 million spread over four years. DeRozan’s team seems to be aiming high at the top end of that range. However, the Bulls have always valued DeRozan’s contract for two reasons: the value he adds to the court and the flexibility his reasonably priced contract offers in light of the cap.

According to an ESPN source, the parties had preliminary extension talks in October, but over three months later, there hasn’t been any confirmed progress to get the parties closer.

The Bulls can either move DeRozan before he becomes a free agent or guarantee his future. DeRozan is too important of a trade asset to let him go without a contract. However, Arturas Karni ovas, executive vice president of basketball operations, has also made it clear by his vocal expressions that he intends to keep basketball going in the long run.

DeRozan is an industry expert. He’s been taken by surprise by a trade previously. However, as the trade deadline of February 8 draws closer, DeRozan stated he believes the discussions between his team and the Bulls head office have been “constructive.”.

“It’s always easy to throw those storylines out there when things aren’t going well,” DeRozan remarked. “What matters is how you overcome it and rise to the challenge that lies ahead.”

Joking aside, DeRozan doesn’t share ideas with the front office, which is why he wears a jersey rather than a suit. DeRozan wanted to focus primarily on finding a method to stop additional injuries, so even as the Bulls got closer to perhaps rebuilding their squad, he avoided bringing up any potential improvements to the roster.

For the next two months, DeRozan wants to be a pillar of support in the Bulls locker room. He asserts that the trade rumors that have been circulating about the club and LaVine’s possible departure for the last month have not had an impact on his connection with LaVine. And as the Bulls try to go back to 500, he intends to instill that same unwavering spirit in the rest of his teammates.

“Being in the NBA for so long, I understand this moment; it’s just part of the job,” DeRozan remarked. “I honestly don’t give it a second thought. My top priorities are to be there, lead this group and this team to success, and get us through whatever difficult situation we’re facing.