DeMar DeRozan (Photo : Twitter)
The Toronto Raptors had notable moves this offseason but they were not exactly groundbreaking.
However, it might just be one step towards the big move for next year. The rumor is that the team is ready to pay the price in order to pursue the marquee names in next summer's free agent pool.
That pool will include Toronto's own DeMar DeRozan, whom the Toronto Sun reports might be on the cusp of a huge payday.
"Whispers continue to circulate that DeMar DeRozan's camp will be after the new mid-max (a whopping $25.3 million) a year from now and there is no way the Raptors will be comfortable footing that bid."
For the Raptors, that seems to be a lot of money for a position that can be covered by DeMarre Carroll or even Terrence Ross.
Raptors Rapture has explored the possibility that their team would trade DeMar DeRozan, who has been on the radar of multiple teams. The dilemma is whether to keep DeRozan for an Eastern playoff run or trade him to acquire assets rather than lose him to free agency.
The fan site suggested that DeRozan should be traded and they justify it with this statement: "There should be one goal in all Raptors fans' minds: to win a championship. It's nearly impossible to do this without a superstar leading the group. Kyle Lowry is not our superstar, but neither is DeRozan."
Instead of paying the maximum for DeRozan, it would be better for the Raptors to become major players for the marquee names-the most glaring name would be Kevin Durant.
The main selling point in favor of the Raptors is that they are in the Eastern Conference. If the Thunder fail to make it out of the West, Durant may realize that despite teaming with Russell Westbrook, the Conference is really steep.
But the Raptors may also go for Al Horford. Horford has declared that he will test free agency. A frontline of Jonas Valanciunas, Horford at his natural "four" position and former teammate Demarre Carroll could be dominant in the East.The Toronto Raptors had notable moves this offseason but they were not exactly groundbreaking.
However, it might just be one step towards the big move for next year. The rumor is that the team is ready to pay the price in order to pursue the marquee names in next summer's free agent pool.
That pool will include Toronto's own DeMar DeRozan, whom the Toronto Sun reports might be on the cusp of a huge payday.
"Whispers continue to circulate that DeMar DeRozan's camp will be after the new mid-max (a whopping $25.3 million) a year from now and there is no way the Raptors will be comfortable footing that bid."
For the Raptors, that seems to be a lot of money for a position that can be covered by DeMarre Carroll or even Terrence Ross.
Raptors Rapture has explored the possibility that their team would trade DeMar DeRozan, who has been on the radar of multiple teams. The dilemma is whether to keep DeRozan for an Eastern playoff run or trade him to acquire assets rather than lose him to free agency.
The fan site suggested that DeRozan should be traded and they justify it with this statement: "There should be one goal in all Raptors fans' minds: to win a championship. It's nearly impossible to do this without a superstar leading the group. Kyle Lowry is not our superstar, but neither is DeRozan."
Instead of paying the maximum for DeRozan, it would be better for the Raptors to become major players for the marquee names-the most glaring name would be Kevin Durant.
The main selling point in favor of the Raptors is that they are in the Eastern Conference. If the Thunder fail to make it out of the West, Durant may realize that despite teaming with Russell Westbrook, the Conference is really steep.
But the Raptors may also go for Al Horford. Horford has declared that he will test free agency. A frontline of Jonas Valanciunas, Horford at his natural "four" position and former teammate Demarre Carroll could be dominant in the East.
