The Toronto Raptors are a team that always seems capable of re-inventing itself yet remaining competitive. They don't have a franchise player-unless DeMar DeRozan can be considered one.
DeMar DeRozan has been the subject of trade rumors because he has in "that state," he is a desirable player but not exactly a franchise cornerstone. Teams who have this kind of player begin to think about the long-term implications.
Thus, the trade rumors about the former USC Trojan arise despite the denials from the team and the player. This was corroborated by Basketball Insiders when they tackled trade rumors that would not fade away.
"The DeRozan rumors are 100 percent fan driven," according to the article. "Sources close to the Raptors side of the equation said they have not entertained anything with DeRozan's name on it and that he has been a central and core figure for them in recruiting free agents and being a leader in the offseason."
It sounds like the team has definite plans to keep him and with good reason. His numbers continue to rise up and his game has improved immensely since he was an athletic but lanky rookie in 2009. Now, it seeems like he has grown confidence in himself and found his game and people are starting to notice.
One thing the Raptors must be prepared to do is pay DeRozan a ton of money-maybe even max money. DeRozan has a player option at the end of the season, which he most probably would exercise (seeing as how an injured player like Wesley Matthews still got to cash in).
Sportsnet noticed the trend, and how it applies to DeRozan. "Like, for instance DeAndre Jordan, another player who is all but a lock to receive a max contract in the coming weeks- an elite shotblocker and rebounder whose offensive game and inability to hit free throws is so poor his team often needs to take him off the floor in crunch time.
Is DeAndre Jordan really a better player than DeMar DeRozan? I'm not buying it for a second."
The Raptors don't need DeRozan to be a max player, just buy into the system as Bleacher Report says: "Perhaps Toronto doesn't need DeRozan to be like Carter or Bosh. Ujiri can build his roster based on the needs of the team and not just who meshes well with DeRozan."