DeRozan was 'humbled' to receive a standing ovation and video tribute in Chicago, where he played three seasons

The Chicago Bulls are widely expected to sell at the NBA trade deadline, and the team may currently possess one of the biggest available difference makers. Two-

Toronto will always be No. 1, first of all,” DeRozan said, smiling. “But, I’ve got to put Chicago second because, mentally, of the space I was in after I got traded (to San Antonio). San Antonio

DeMar DeRozan never had a hard time defining himself in Chicago. That was true even as he returned to the United Center in a black and purple jersey on Sunday, helming the Sacramento Kings to a 124-119 win in his first game against the Bulls since leaving the organization in free agency last summer.

Jan 6, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie celebrates with forward DeMar DeRozan (10) in double overtime in the game against the Miami Heat at Golden 1 Center.

DeRozan was an All-Star in two of his three seasons in Chicago in 2022 and 2023. He’s considered the best free-agent addition in Bulls history, though he technically joined the team via sign-and-trade from the San Antonio Spurs in 2021.

I like him more on our side, in our uniform,” Lonzo Ball said of DeRozan. “But he still looks pretty good in the black and purple.”