One of the NBA’s most intriguing remaining free agents is living it up — and maybe hinting at his new team.
Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan was seen in the music video for Kendrick Lamar’s hit rap single “Not Like Us,” which was released on July 4.
DeRozan, who played for the Bulls last season, appeared stoically for about three seconds as Lamar sang the lyrics, “I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither.”
With the line, Lamar seems to applaud the fact that DeRozan left Canadian rapper Drake’s beloved Raptors in 2018.
The 34-year-old DeRozan and 37-year-old Lamar each hail from Compton, Calif., and the NBA star has supported the lyricist in the recent past.
DeRozan, Russell Westbrook and other California-area athletes accompanied Lamar on stage at his “The Pop Out Show” in Inglewood on June 19.
In fact, DeRozan’s Los Angeles area prominence may not be a coincidence as he zeroes in on a new franchise.
With DeRozan wrapping up his three-year, $81.9 million deal with the Chicago Bulls in 2023-24, the 16-year veteran has been linked to the Lakers, potentially via a sign-and-trade with Chicago.
Other teams that could make a run at DeRozan include the Heat and Clippers.
During his three seasons in the Windy City, DeRozan averaged 25.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game, notching two All-Star appearances and solidifying himself as one of the most clutch players in the league.
Despite DeRozan’s individual achievement, the Bulls went just 125-121 overall in that span, making the playoffs in only one season.
Not only because of DeRozan, Lamar’s music video has already eclipsed 12 million views in a little more than 13 hours of being released, continuing the song’s broader popularity.
“Not Like Us” has spent eight straight weeks on the Billboard Top 100 and helped Lamar win Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2024 BET Awards.
If DeRozan does indeed call Crypto.com Arena home, he’d join a star-studded crew in LeBron James and Anthony Davis — and might need to make the Lamar diss track his walk-out tune.
