DeMar DeRozan (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors are rumored to be targeting OKC's Kevin Durant and it would be at the expense of the team's superstar DeMar DeRozan.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report noted that an 'overrated' DeRozan is the easiest piece to move with his trade value being the most acceptable.
The report also suggested that the Raptors have long been considered a threat to poach Durant from the Thunder, and shipping away DeRozan would be the ideal move for Toronto's free agency plans.
The Raptors have already committed more money to Terrence Ross and DeMarre Carroll, giving the more reason to trade one of their core pieces.
DeRozan is expected not to pick his $10.1 million player option next year, considering the amount of money that will float around the league when NBA's new TV deal kicks in. Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun stated that DeRozan will seek a max contract worth around $23.5 million next season.
However, trading the one-time All-Star and the team's leading scorer for uncertainty of luring Durant to Canada is not a move that Masai Ujiri would probably do.
DeRozan is averaging identical numbers from last season, when he only played 60 games. He has 20.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game average early in the season, while playing for 36.1 minutes a night.
It is fair enough to say that DeRozan has been the Raptors' superstar for the last four years and the more reliable guy during crunch time, so any idea of trading him would be unlikely.
Moreover, Toronto is carrying a good record, so far, with 10 wins and six losses and has a great chance to join the top teams in a stacked Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, Durant seems to be inclining to staying with the Thunder, given how close he is with OKC star point guard Russell Westbrook, although there is still plenty of time for changes to unfold.
DeRozan may not be heading elsewhere this season, but if he does intends to opt out of his player option, the Raptors should think of how they can get the most out of the 26-year-old shooting guard.
