As The Toronto Raptors get closer to hammering a four-year, $60 million-plus extension with center Jonas Valanciunas, the more NBA insiders are convinced that DeMar DeRozan's days north of the border are numbered.
The 26-year old DeRozan is entering his seventh season in the league, averaging 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists over his career. He has become one of the team's top scorers the past few years (putting up at least 21 points on 41 percent FG shooting over the last two seasons), but his struggle to elevate his game to the next level has given Raptors front-office a second thought on extending their marriage.
According to Eric Saar of Basketball Insiders, the Raptors' ongoing contract negotiation only suggested that they are now investing their future on the development of the Lithuanian 7-footer instead of waiting for DeRozan to become the next James Harden.
Moreover, DeRozan is considered a flight risk as he can opt out from the final year of his contract worth $9.5 million and hit the market as an unrestricted free-agent after this coming season.
"While Valanciunas seems like less of a sure thing, Toronto should just max him out as soon as possible. He is making nearly $4.6 million this year, but should be maxed out. They just brought in DeMarre Carroll, should keep Kyle Lowry and let DeMar DeRozan go and bring in someone cheaper to replace him," Saar stated.
As NBA Insider Steve Kyler stressed in his article, the Raptors won't be trading DeRozan just because they just want to trade and create more financial flexibility. For the general manager Masai Ujiri to agree on a trade involving DeRozan, the interested team should provide him the best package they could offer or there's no deal at all.
Celtics, Kings and Cavaliers Likely Suitors DeRozan
The Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers are teams likely to start knocking on the Raptors door between now and February trade deadline. These teams have the assets in forms of young players and draft picks along with the ability to absorb DeRozan's contract to make any deal work.
Armed with draft picks and exciting prospects, the Celtics are capable of presenting a nice package in exchange for DeRozan. Jared Sullinger, Jonas Jerebko and even Canadian Kelly Olynyk could be used as trade chips if they enter into a negotiation with Toronto.
The Kings can also join into the mix as they look to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Incoming third-year shooting guard Ben McLemore is the likely trade chip or perhaps the newly-acquired Marco Belinelli. DeRozan, who is Compton, California native, won't have any issue if he's shipped to the West Coast.
Then here's the dark horse. The Cavaliers are having problems of their own as Tristan Thompson continues to play hardball in their contract negotiation. The Raptors are thought to be very intrigued in getting the Canadian-born power forward, but they couldn't make an offer for him this offseason because Thompson is a restricted free-agent. It's a long shot scenario, but a sign-and-trade deal swapping the two players might not that bad of an idea, as Thompson gives the Raptors a legit starting power forward while DeRozan further boost the Cavs' firepower at the wing position (especially if they don't strike a deal with JR Smith).