Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan drives against Cleveland Cavaliers' J.R. Smith in the third quarter in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. (Photo : Getty Images/Vaughn Ridley)
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly planning to pursue Toronto Raptors superstar DeMar DeRozan this summer. But fans want to know whether or not the high-scoring guard decide to leave Toronto and move to Los Angeles in the offseason.
DeRozan, who has been mentioned in numerous NBA free agents rumors following their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 26-year-old is expected to get a lot of attention after averaging 23.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season.
But when asked about the possibility of signing elsewhere this summer, DeRozan reiterated that he is looking stay in Toronto. The seven-year veteran is determined to stick with the Raptors, especially after helping his team advance to their first ever conference finals appearance in franchise history.
"My mindset has always been Toronto," DeRozan told ESPN. "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."
The Lakers, who had their worst season in franchise history this year, were tipped to become one of the strong contenders in the race to sign DeRozan. The Lakers are expected to make a homecoming pitch to the California native, but DeRozan hinted that he will not move to Los Angeles just because it is his hometown team.
"I grew up in L.A. That's my home," DeRozan added. "There's not a part of L.A. I haven't seen. I don't get caught up into it. I let whoever comes up with that say what they want to say."
The Lakers are among teams who will have enough cap room to offer a maximum deal with a starting salary of $25 million per year. However, the Raptors are still in prime position to keep DeRozan, as they are the only team who can offer a five-year deal worth around $107 million.
Following DeRozan's statement, the Lakers were not high on the former USC standout, giving the Raptors a higher chance of keeping the former first-round pick, Bleacher Report reported. Aside from DeRozan, the Raptors will also need to strike new deals with free agents Bismack Biyombo, James Johnson and Luis Scola.
Watch DeRozan's highlights below:
