Spurs wing DeMar DeRozan will exercise his player option for 2020/21, putting off free agency for another year, reports Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). The move will guarantee DeRozan’s $27,739,975 salary.
DeRozan, 31, had a strong season for San Antonio in 2019/20, averaging 22.1 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 5.5 RPG with an impressive .531 FG% in 68 games (34.1 MPG).
Back in March, before the season went on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, one report suggested that DeRozan would likely opt out if he didn’t receive an extension from the Spurs, while a separate report indicated the veteran scorer wasn’t thrilled with his situation in San Antonio.
The financial impact of the pandemic made DeRozan’s decision to opt in a fairly simple one, however. Only two or three teams will have the cap room necessary to have matched his option salary, and those teams finished in the lottery and may not have made DeRozan a top priority. He’ll be better off trying his luck on the open market in 2021, when more clubs will have cap flexibility.
Of course, just because DeRozan is under contract for one more year, that doesn’t mean he’ll spend the entire season with the Spurs. San Antonio is believed to be shopping some of its veterans, including DeRozan, who reportedly drew interest from the Lakers before they agreed to acquire Dennis Schröder. We’ll see if any other suitors pop up in the coming days for the former Raptor.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Not surprising now that LA is off the market and there will be better teams with cap space next summer. Have to wonder if a contender is going to try to rent him for a few months come deadline time? Maybe Toronto can bring him back or a team like Portland can pull the trigger?
Denver should pursue him, Toronto makes no sense as they aren’t depleting their depth for a guy who can’t take you to the finals!
Toronto’s only real target they could go for is Giannis. Otherwise, the next best guy that actually loves the organization is Derozan. Kinda like when Pat Riley reacquired Dwyane Wade, maybe Masai does the same with Demar if he feels they aren’t landing Giannis in 2021.
Oladipo makes more sense than DeFrozen.
i dont think that would be a great fit i mean it could work but i was thinking The Heat are an option because they could have cap space and they are always in the market for big names. I’m just not convinced that a backcourt of DeRozan and Jimmy Butler – two ball dominant wings who don’t provide much in the floor spacing department – is a recipe for success in today’s NBA, even if the Heat were to surround them with knockdown shooters at every other position.
Denver makes a lot of sense. So does Dallas.
I thought Lakers was a good move. Better than the Schröder move. I think he would thrive under the radar. With Bron and AD taking the Heat. This way they also keep Rondo. But that’s just me. Spurs had a good run. I don’t know what they’re are waiting for. Pops should walk away. They should move Aldridge and DeRozan. Go full rebuild already. Next yrs draft is deep. What are they waiting for. What’s next yrs goal. 1st rd exit, come on man Fuhgeddaboudit.
No one wants Aldridge.
DeRozan might work someplace like Charlotte if they don’t go after Westbrook. I agree Dallas might also work.
Otherwise, he will just get bought out and finish the year on one of the L.A. teams.