Monday, December 30, 2024

The Latest: Division rival Milwaukee Bucks lose star to free agency (report)

The Milwaukee Bucks enter their third consecutive offseason in which disappointment has overshadowed their accomplishments.

Since winning the championship in 2021, the Bucks have been eliminated in the first or second round of the playoffs every year.

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That said, winning the division seems like the bare minimum. The Bucks had won the division for six years in a row, and now one of their biggest rivals has lost a superstar.

Rival Milwaukee Bucks lose superstar to free agency

December 11, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan (11) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan (11) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

According to KC JohnsonChicago Bulls insider:

It’s a 2021 free agent again. Although this time Chicago Bulls At this time, it is not expected to be a destination unless DeMar DeRozan and his hometown Los Angeles Lakers find a partner.

NBA free agency is a lucrative game for the most part. But it can also be unsentimental at times, squeezing out high-level players.

And at least for now, DeRozan’s options are dwindling after the Bulls and DeRozan have so far failed to follow through on promises made before the season that they would continue working together.

Back in mid-April, Interview with NBC Sports Chicago After a morning practice in Detroit before the third last game of the regular season, listen to how DeRozan was emphatic about wanting to return.

“I love ownership. I love everything about the city and the franchise, from top to bottom — the office, the staff we have,” he said. “It’s one of those places that motivates me to see everyone get what they deserve and to feel what it’s like to win again.

“Look at me, how hard I play, how much I want to bring success to this organization, to this city, that’s my main point of reference. I always want to finish the job. The last few years have been tough with injuries and so many ups and downs. But I always want to weather the storm and persevere in every situation to make the most of it, to make it even better. That’s always been my mindset and that’s going to be the case in the future. How can I be here and make this organization win like it did when I got here?

“The feeling, the vibe, the energy that was there when we had that series (in 2021-22), I want the city and all those players to experience that again — and for myself as well. It’s always basic to complain and say what isn’t. But I’ve made it clear that I want to be here and see it through. I don’t want to go anywhere.

“They know that. They all know my position. I put it this way: I want to come back. Let everyone else figure out what you need to figure out. And that’s how I look at it, so I’m not stressed or worried about what’s what. I’ve made it very clear that’s where I want to be. They just need to figure out what needs to happen. They all know my thinking.”

For their part, management and coach Billy Donovan have consistently praised DeRozan’s leadership of the Bulls’ newborn core and praised his steady personality during challenging times. After a season in which DeRozan led the NBA in minutes played and fourth-quarter points scored, executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas reiterated his position that he wanted to re-sign DeRozan.

More information about sports in Wisconsin:

Follow me on Twitter: @mcquadewarnold, Follow us @WiSportsHeroics. You can also contact McQuade Arnold by email at [email protected]. To read more of our articles and keep up to date with ALL the news from the world of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers. Go Pack Go. On Wisconsin. Fear The Deer. This Is My Crew.

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