DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine's Top Free-Agent, Trade Landing Spots After 2024 NBA Draft

The Chicago Bulls face some question marks after missing the playoffs for the second straight season. Chicago has been stuck in neutral of late, winning just 40 games in 2022-23 before following it up with a 39-43 record the following season.

DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls' top scorer and best player, is entering free agency. And Zach LaVine has been the subject of a host of trade rumors, to the point where it almost seems inevitable that his time in town is dwindling.

It's possible that both DeRozan and LaVine have seen their final days in town, although the former could obviously choose to re-sign Chicago. Here's a look at three spots where both players could end up.

• Chicago Bulls
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Philadelphia 76ers

DeRozan hasn't made it a secret that he's enjoyed his time in Chicago.

But he's also stated his desire to win.

"My stance on wanting to be here is still the same, but I just want to win," DeRozan told reporters after the season. "Just have the opportunity to win and not [have] to go home to see the first round of the playoffs, second round of the playoffs. It's frustrating."

The Bulls could certainly contend for the playoffs but seem a ways from shooting for a championship. If his love for the city and organization supersedes his other potential opportunities, then perhaps he stays in town.

If not, then the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers seem like good options.

Both are winning franchises with superstars leading the way in Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard, respectively. The 76ers have plenty of money to spend with Tobias Harris entering free agency. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report also cited Philadelphia as a potential new home for DeRozan.

And they also need a bona fide third star in place alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey to potentially compete with the Boston Celtics for the Eastern Conference crown and overtake other East contenders like the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.

As for the Clippers, they'll need a Plan B if Paul George leaves town.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported that the Clippers should be kept in mind for DeRozan if that happens.

There have been rumors swirling that PG-13 just might, with the Golden State Warriors and 76ers mentioned as possibilities.

DeRozan is from Los Angeles, so this would be a return to his hometown. And he'd be sorely needed with the Clippers needing to replace a ton of production if George (22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG) exits.

• Philadelphia 76ers

• Sacramento Kings

• Orlando Magic

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on June 21 that the Sacramento Kings were the most likely suitor for LaVine, with the Philadelphia 76ers standing as "merely a backup option."

The Kings obviously want to make some moves, trying for Bulls guard Alex Caruso before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in those sweepstakes, per Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Sacramento is looking for a "significant upgrade" this offseason and has "some level of interest" in LaVine. He would make a lot of sense for Sacramento as a starting 2 guard next to De'Aaron Fox, forming a potent offensive backcourt and one that could help make a deep playoff run, especially with Malik Monk coming off the bnch.

As for Philadelphia, LaVine is a good option in the same ways that DeRozan is as well. The team has the money to fit him in, and they also need a reliable third scorer alongside Maxey and Embiid. And that value is increased when one of them is out. The 76ers perhaps are looking for other options, with George clearly on their radar as noted before, but LaVine would be a good fallback option if that does not occur.

As for the Orlando Magic, they sorely need another scorer to bolster an offense that finished 22nd in efficiency last year. They have the NBA's fourth-lowest payroll and have the room to absorb the remaining three years on his contract (roughly $138 million, if he picks up his 2026-27 player option).

Orlando's stock is rising after a tremendous season that ended with a seven-game first-round defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now the Magic must continue to build out the roster around Paolo Banchero, particularly on offense, in hopes of advancing further in the playoffs LaVine makes sense in this regard.