DeMar DeRozan could be one of the top unrestricted free agents on the market this offseason if he opts out of the final year of his contract. The veteran Spurs shooting guard didn’t tip his hand on Monday during a video press conference, saying he hasn’t been thinking about his situation, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express News reports.
DeRozan would have to leave approximately $27.7MM on the table to opt out. A report surfaced during the week play was halted in March that DeRozan intended to opt out unless he was able to reach an extension agreement.
DeRozan said from the Orlando campus that he’s only focused on the league restart.
“I haven’t thought about it,” DeRozan said. “With everything that’s going on, it’s hard to even know what tomorrow is going to bring, honestly. So, you’ve got to worry about the moment that you are in. I told myself that throughout this whole process, through everything, I am going to take it day by day.”
Due to the financial issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s fair to assume that DeRozan might more inclined to stay put. Only a handful of teams will have significant salary cap space and most of those teams are in rebuilding mode.
DeRozan, who turns 31 next month, is averaging 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 5.6 APG. He’s also shooting a career-high 52.6% from the field, though his impact beyond the arc is minimal — he’s only attempted 30 3-pointers, making eight of them.
He signed a five-year, $139MM contract with Toronto in 2016 before being traded to San Antonio in 2018.
The Spurs enter the seeding round four games behind Memphis, which currently holds the final Western Conference playoff spot. San Antonio won’t have its other star, LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder), in action in Orlando. Trey Lyles (appendectomy) is also out for the remainder of the season.
Stats are great
I can only offer DeRozan 3 years 45 million extension
I think he can do just a little better than that in free agency.
I could see him getting a 3 year 57-60M deal where only like 5-7M is guaranteed in the last year
This man bout to leave for Milwaukee
He will have to choose between a winning team, or a team with capspace!
Agreed, but I’d venture a little further and say he goes the winning route and leaves some money on the table doing so. if he was worth a significant portion of your cap space then he would have won when he was in SA. He was a focal point with Aldridge and Pop to help, most teams have to know by now he isn’t worth near max money. I’d hope he realize that to and look at the bucks or other contender. But I’m always wrong cause they almost always take the money.
Wouldn’t you take the money? Winning is overrated!
Even if the Bucks had cap space to sign DeRozan, why would they use it up when they will need every penny they can spare to keep Giannis with a supermax extension?
He’s not giving up money next yr. No one is paying him 28 mill. At 32 he is not a max player. DeRozan is no alpha. There are few teams he could help. I’m not a big fan.
Someone will overpay, it’s a weak crop of free agents and there aren’t a lot of better players who will be available. He’s not a good 3-point shooter, but he has value.
He has value, but not even close to 27M. Perhaps some teams will overpay this summer (even though we’ll have to see how much the cap drops) but no one will overpay that much. No doubt DDR will stay with the Spurs.
Kings gave Harrison Barnes 85/4 last year when virtually everyone were free agents. With DeRozan being probably being the best guy available someone is going to give him the bag he’s looking for. And yes I know Barnes is younger but Derozan is infinitely better than Barnes.
I think the best thing for DeMare DeRozan would be a 2 year deal for 44mil at the Atlanta Hawks.
He would have to turn down 27mil but saves him from hitting Free Agency in a loaded class at 32.
Instead he gets his last good contract for 22mil a season, hits Free Agency at a slightly better time and then at 33 can try ring chase for a couple years while still being productive.
For Atlanta, He would be a great 20+ points per game sidekick for Young. A great mentor and veteran leader for Kevin Heuter and Cam Reddish to help grow there game. DeRozans deal would only be 2 years which is perfect for opening up money to pay Trae Young early on his next deal.
Atlanta will likely have the 4th selection in the draft and will miss out of Anthony Edwards so DeRozan would make sense filling that starting SG role. At 4 drafting Obi Toppin would make sense, allowing Collins to play some minutes at the 5 in small ball line ups. If Toppin can preform well as a rookie giving you 14 ish points and 6/7 rebounds then maybe Collins upcoming contract is a little cheaper. Would also recommend bring back Jeff Teague Ah the vets mom if possible.
1. Trae Young. Jeff Teague
2. DeMare DeRozan. Kevin Hueter
3. Can Reddish. DeAndre Hunter
4. John Collins. Obi Toppin
5. Clint Capela. Dwayne Dedmon.
I’m inclined to agree with you. He’d be walking away from a few million next year, but long-term in may be the best move for him. He’s going to get pinched badly in the following year’s FA class. There just won’t be enough money to go around in a deep crop of FA. If he opts out, he may have limited options, but he’ll face far less competition.
Any chance he goes back to the Raptors?