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Life is pretty good for Chicago Bulls superstar DeMar DeRozan these days. Whether it’s making an appearance on Draymond Green’s podcast, or it’s showing up a bunch of amateurs in the Drew League, DeRozan appears to be living life to the fullest this offseason.
And why shouldn’t he?
DeRozan is coming off arguably the best year of his career in 2021-22 after signing a three-year, $82 million deal with the Bulls last summer. He averaged 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists to help lead Chicago to the Eastern Conference playoffs. DeRozan was rewarded with a second-team All-NBA selection for his troubles and made his fifth-NBA All-Star Game appearance.
Now it appears that big season is paying off in more ways than one.
Fresh off making All-NBA second team, Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan is signing a new four-year deal with Nike that keeps him as the featured face of Kobe Bryant’s iconic line, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2022
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday morning that DeRozan has signed a new four-year deal with Nike. The move also ensures he’s the face of the sneaker giant’s Kobe Bryant line. No figures are current available for the deal.
A little over a year ago, it appeared that Nike was set to love the Kobe Bryant name and line after reports surfaced that it did not offer his estate a new contract. Nike and the Bryant Estate agreed to a deal in March that resolved that issue.
NBA fans and players alike were happy to see DeRozan rewarded for his impressive play.
Congrats brother @DeMar_DeRozan https://t.co/tF29lJ39SS
— Fred VanVleet (@FredVanVleet) August 1, 2022
Called that a while back. Perfect move https://t.co/75zddAipux
— OP (@omarcitoxo) August 1, 2022
Damn right. https://t.co/ngWythkfdB
— Matt Peck (@Bulls_Peck) August 1, 2022
Though some fans thought it should’ve been another player that is the face of the Bryant brand. Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker were the most popular suggestions.
Happy for Demar but ngl a part of me wishes it was DBook. Not saying Demar ain’t deserving tho but I be forgetting he wears Kobe’s all the time meanwhile DBook has literally worn the same “be legendary” Kobe’s for years😭 https://t.co/fhsFWcy8Aa
— ÂKENO👁🗨 (@AkenoAsia) August 1, 2022
True Kobe fans support Dbo being the face 100% https://t.co/gSbzRTpKnc
— Call Me G 🤙🏾⚡️ (@LightsOutG_) August 1, 2022
Jayson Tatum gotta be sick rn…. https://t.co/U0BuuzoogI
— Kaleb Casteel (@K_Casteel_) August 1, 2022
calling DeMar DeRozan the “featured face” of the Kobe line is insane I have to stop looking at basketball tweets before my brain explodes https://t.co/oI8zA5wyry
— ravi (@goomvi) August 1, 2022
Quick somebody snatch Jay and Dev’s device ! https://t.co/OYWZoRJYaN
— “Sha-Vaughn”B.| 🌖🪬 (@SiobhanBeslow) August 1, 2022
DeRozan is a Los Angeles native who has talked often about watching Bryant play growing up. It’s hard to imagine a better fit for the brand going forward.