DeMar DeRozan has become the face of the Toronto Raptors. The smooth shooting guard makes up one half of one of the most dangerous backcourts in the league, and in 2017-18 the All-Star took an even bigger step forward.
DeRozan had a huge season, shooting 23 points per game to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Those are some elite numbers, and he also commanded the respect of his opponents (and his critics that apparently thought he was in and around 46th best overall player in the league… FOH). For Raptors fans, it’s a good thing that Deebo was suiting up in the Raptors Red, Black, and White, but apparently there was a chance he may not have been.
According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Raptors were quietly shopping around DeRozan to see just what the trade market could get for him. Now that his stock is so much higher, and the Raptors still got swept by LeBron and the Cavs, Stein expects that DeRozan trade possibilities may emerge yet again this offseason.
Not quite sure what the return would be, but there is no doubt DeRozan would be a compliment to many contenders. His loyalty to Toronto is certainly not something to snuff at, and Toronto fans would likely want to grab another piece rather than give one of their home grown ones away.
If coach Dwane Casey’s firing just days after winning coach of the year indicates anything, it’s that big changes are on the horizon in the 6ix.
(H/T Marc Stein)
