DeMar DeRozan (Photo : Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images Sport)
The Brooklyn Nets will finally gain some cap room as Joe Johnson's contract finally goes off the books.
Even without draft picks, the Nets could improve their team with this summer's free agents, and at the top of that list is Kevin Durant.
It could be a very long shot and the Nets front office knows almost every team, possibly even the Golden State Warriors if rumors hold true, would want the services of the former Most Valuable Player.
Brooklyn may need to look at more "reachable" talents and DeMar DeRozan may have placed his name on their priority list.
The Raptors star guard has had a great season so far, and sources told the NY Post that there is a possibility that he will opt-out instead of exercising his player option for $ 10 million.
"I can tell you he'll opt out," the NY Post unnamed source said. "But how he feels about Brooklyn - or anybody else - I can't say. Only he can answer that.''
The source also added that DeRozan "has a trait that's been lost by so many players. It's called loyalty." The USC product has declared that "he has been treated well" by the Raptors since he was drafted in 2009.
According to The Score, DeRozan is averaging 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists for the Raptors in 36.5 minutes played this season. His 261 made free throws is 2nd best in the NBA behind James Harden's 323.
As a solid scoring option, DeRozan is a viable free agent target and the Nets could very well use the cap space from Joe Johnson's 25 million expiring contract for him. However, it would still be DeRozan's decision-will the Nets be good enough for him to turn his back on Toronto?
