DeMar DeRozan (Photo : Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images Sport)
The NBA season is nearing its end and the outcome of the playoffs could bring about some changes in the offseason.
There are many pundits who believe that the Toronto Raptors is a team that has reached its ceiling, and thus, this playoff run could be more important for the team's future.
One of the big questions for the Raps is DeMar DeRozan's free agency. He is probably the second most important player on the team (Kyle Lowry being the leader) but he is younger than Lowry and more teams covet him, specifically the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers will be very aggressive in the offseason. Right after another loss to the Washington Wizards, Kobe Bryant was asked on whether the franchise player is already with the team. Silver Screen And Roll had his answer.
"No." Bryant firmly responded. "If you have to ask that question, the answer is already there."
While they have a young core in Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell, it's clear that the Lakers are not content on waiting for these players to reach their peak. They are equipped with the most cap space in the league and will not think twice about offering max contracts, specifically to players like DeMar DeRozan.
To say that DeRozan has LA roots is an understatement, and now, there could be another advantage that the Lakers could have: his shoe deal.
Aside from becoming an NBA free agent, DeRozan can also make a decision on his next shoe deal this summer, and shoe deal expert Nick de Paula of The Vertical recently warned that the lure of the big market could tilt the odds in LA's favor.
"If he were to go to his hometown Lakers per se, then his shoe deal could possibly triple," De Paula mentioned on the Vertical Podcast with Woj. "If he were to be on the Lakers, and leading perhaps the next wave of the Kobe line for Nike or something like that, then his value would skyrocket I think."
Aside from Kobe Bryant himself, DeRozan is the player most identified with the Kobe line. When Kobe retires, it would seem to be the best case scenario for the "heir" to be the star on Kobe's team.
Recent shoe deal numbers have been staggering. There's Kevin Durant's alleged $300 million pact and LeBron James lifetime deal. The numbers even rival their salaries as a player.
While DeRozan has affirmed his loyalty to the Raptors, an early playoff exit may send him pondering his future. The Raptors can offer him a 5-year deal and they are the incumbent team. The Lakers have the hometown edge and the added market value of Tinseltown. This is an interesting storyline to follow these summer.
