DeMar DeRozan is another NBA star expected to be pursued this Summer after opting out of his previous contract with the Toronto Raptors. However, the move of DeRozan is not surprising considering most players with options have done the same.
Like most, DeRozan opted out of his old pact to get a new and more lucrative one. The Raptors are expected to offer the 26-year-old guard a five-year maximum contract worth an estimated $153 million, ESPN reports.
The figures were based on the projected $94 million salary cap for next season and bigger compared to what other teams could dangle him. Other teams can pitch $114 million to DeRozan, a deal that could be spread to just 4 years.
More than money for DeMar
Word of DeMar Derozan already came out last season with the Los Angeles Lakers seen as the potential landing spot. With Luke Walton already installed as the new head coach, DeRozan was seen as a good fit to the rising Laker core.
Unfortunately all that has now been squashed with reports that DeRozan has no intention to meet with the Lakers or any other team for that matter when NBA free agency starts, per Lakers Nation.
Rather, DeRozan is expected to sit down with Raptors management and work on improving their previous milestone – that of which was reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
Lakers bomb out again
With DeRozan out, the options of the Lakers are starting to shrink. They are not considered prime spots for OKC Thunder Kevin Durant, another high profile player expected to be swamped with max contract offers.
With two top names out, the Lakers may have to settle for the Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat or Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks instead as the team tries to come up with a new core for next season.
The Lakers do have money to spend to reel in players. However, there is one thing high profile players are looking for right now that the “purple and gold” may not be able to offer - better chances at winning an NBA title.
