The start of NBA Free Agency is nearly here and one of the biggest names on the market is DeMar DeRozan. The Toronto Raptors guard will have plenty of teams interested, but only one team will land him. The Raptors are the current favorite.
Teams can't negotiate with DeRozan, or any other free agent, until July 1st. However, no free agent can officially sign with a team until July 8, with the week between known as the "July Moratorium," but teams across the league are already lining up their pitches to land the superstar. Here are all the latest news and rumors surrounding DeRozan's free agency.
Who Wants DeRozan?
The Raptors, for good reason, as the odds-on favorite to sign DeRozan. However, Sam Amick of USA Today reports they aren't the only team that will make a push for the young guard.
As for DeRozan, he has plenty of options on hold as well. The Lakers, who could wind up getting a meeting with DeRozan, in part, because he still resides there during the summer, are widely known to be very interested in making him part of their young core. The Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic are also hoping to lure him stateside.
The Clippers and Lakers get a boost because they are his hometown team. The Warriors are a better team than the Raptors and DeRozan would replace Harrison Barnes in the starting lineup. The Heat, Knicks and Magic are all looking for another young star. Those three are long-shots at best.
Still, despite interest from others, DeRozan is expected to remain in Toronto. He can get the most money from the Raptors and he's in a good situation there. It would be a massive surprise if DeRozan leaves the Raptors. After all, ESPN reports he won't even meet with other teams.
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