"Feel like I'm drowning" - DeMar DeRozan gives cryptic message amid battling depression

DeMar DeRozan has always been open about his battle with depression and recently started a podcast about mental health. DeRozan, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, recently wrote a cryptic message on X.

The Chicago Bulls star is one of the first players to open up about their struggles with mental health. He has been an advocate for other players who suffer from it, which even prompted the NBA to require each team to have a mental health professional on their medical staff.

In a tweet, "Deebo" wrote the following message:

"I'm controlling these emotions. Room full of people, I'm alone, feel like I'm drowning in the ocean…"

It's unclear what DeMar DeRozan is implying in his message, but he was most recently seen on the "Run It Up" podcast. DeRozan opened up about his upcoming free agency at the end of the season. His three-year deal with the Chicago Bulls is about to expire and he will have options.

He's open to staying with the Bulls as long as they want him back. He was involved in trade rumors back at the deadline before the franchise decided to make a run at the NBA Play-In Tournament.

"Deebo" was also asked about the possibility of playing for his hometown team LA Lakers. He's interested in joining the Lakers even though they had a failed negotiation in 2021 before he signed with the Chicago Bulls.

"Everybody know I'm a Kobe guy. I've been always a Kobe guy. I've been a Lakers fan since day one. You can't never say no about playing home, especially for playing for a storied team like the Lakers. So, time will tell," Derozan said.

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DeMar DeRozan launched podcast for mental health advocacy

DeMar DeRozan launched podcast for mental health advocacy

DeMar DeRozan first opened up about his battle with depression in 2018, which has been vital for the NBA to take action about their players' mental health. DeRozan even launched his own podcast back in March called "Dinner with DeMar."

It took DeRozan six years to finally get his podcast starting as a way to help players open up about life in general. It's an avenue for players who earn millions of dollars to get in touch with their emotional side.

"I wanted people that I already had a direct relationship with, so you could see the genuineness that comes from our conversations. I didn't want it to seem like a podcast where you just do a Q&A. I really wanted to do something that we always do but people don't get to see.

"These are people where, when we're in the same city playing against each other, that's what we’re gonna do regardless: we're gonna go eat and have conversations about stuff that people don't get to see or hear," DeRozan said in an interview with GQ.