Nic Batum (Photo : Twitter)
The NBA free agency may not be as exciting as it was perceived to be. The latest updates don't bode well for shoppers like the LA Lakers.
Two of the top options at the wing position and also identified as Lakers targets may be off the market.
DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors was claimed to be LA-bound and Stephen A. Smith of First Take has openly declared at least twice that the Raptors' guard is very clear he'll sign with the Lakers.
In a recent article by Mike Mazzeo of ESPN, DeRozan clearly refuted the rumors that he's going to choose his "hometown team" over the Toronto Raptors who went two games short of the NBA Finals.
"I don't think so," DeRozan said. "My mindset has always been Toronto. I've always preached it. I was passionate about it when we were losing, when we were terrible. I said I was going to stick through this whole thing, and I want to be that guy who brings this organization to where it is now. I definitely don't want to switch that up after we win."
When the Raptors won Game 7 against the Miami Heat, that was an unprecedented milestone for the team. It would be difficult to walk away from Toronto now after establishing history with the Raptors, even for LA. DeRozan also downplayed that talk that he longs to be back in California.
"I grew up in L.A. That's my home. There's not a part of L.A. I haven't seen," said DeRozan, an alum of Compton High School and spent his lone college season at USC before being drafted by Toronto. "I don't get caught up into it. I let whoever comes up with that say what they want to say.
He clarifies: "The only thing appealing to me is the things I've done in this organization and the things that can be done here. And that's always been my mindset since I've been here."
If DeRozan is not an option anymore, how about Nic Batum? A recent report by FIBA.com has Batum trying to settle free agency early to allow him to play for France at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament set in Manila.
"However, it is understood that the French player and the (Batum's current team Charlotte)Hornets will quickly agree terms on a new deal and that could could give France enough time to obtain insurance for Batum and allow him to take part in some of the OQT games."
The Lakers may have to go hard at Harrison Barnes and hope that the Warriors won't match a possible max offer. However, since Golden State has kept their title hopes alive when they forced a Game 7 at home in the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors may look at keeping all pieces of a champion team in place.
