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DeMar DeRozan just came off from one of the best seasons of his career. He led the Spurs in scoring with 21.6 points per game and averaged a career-best 6.9 assists per game. As you can see, his elite midrange game and playmaking are enough to compensate for his lack of three-point shooting. DeMar DeRozan free agency in 2021 is set to be fascinating as a result.
DeMar DeRozan free agency 2021
After 3 years in San Antonio, DeRozan is set to enter unrestricted free agency in 2021. He’s one of the best upcoming free agents entering the offseason, and his offensive game proves to be valuable to teams with championship aspirations.
DeRozan as a free agent makes sense in some of these teams…
Lakers
DeMar DeRozan was born in California and is a big Kobe Bryant fan. A homecoming in Los Angeles just makes sense.
After all, it was reported that he expressed his willingness to join the Lakers even if it means taking a pay cut.
His arrival would then improve the Lakers’ backcourt woes. After a failed experiment with Dennis Schroder, an upgrade in the guard position is very much welcomed. However, the Lakers don’t have enough cap space to sign him. They have to go the sign-and-trade route involving him and Schroder.
Bulls
Chicago hasn’t made the playoffs since 2018. They struggled in acquiring young talent and building a playoff-contending team. However, the emergence of Zach LaVine as an all-star and the arrival of Nikola Vucevic showed that they have what it takes to win. They just need a little push. The addition of a third star can propel Chicago into becoming a solid playoff team. DeMar DeRozan can be that guy.
DeRozan’s offensive game gives Chicago a reliable scorer and playmaker outside LaVine. It also takes the playmaking duties off of Coby White, who struggled as a facilitator.
The Bulls can create cap space for DeRozan if they decided to move on with Lauri Markkanen, Thaddeus Young, and Tomas Satoransky. After all, there are already rumors that they are interested in him.
Knicks
Entering the offseason, the Knicks have the biggest cap space flexibility in the league to sign impactful players. It’s clear that they overachieved last season and made New York an attractive destination for free agents once again. That being said, they can lure DeMar DeRozan to play in the Big Apple.
Although the Knicks were one of the best defensive teams in the league, it’s quite the opposite offensively—ranked 22nd in offensive efficiency. DeRozan’s efficient scoring and playmaking can help address their offensive problems.
Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are a fun team to watch. They are a young and hungry team led by Ja Morant. However, they need to add a solid veteran next to Morant who can lead them in the playoffs.
The addition of Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe made it clear that Memphis is starting to make some major moves in the offseason. Although, it was reported that Bledsoe is unlikely to play for them. Signing DeMar DeRozan in free agency is simply icing on the cake. His veteran presence and offensive game prove to be valuable for a young team like Memphis.
If the Grizzlies are serious in signing DeRozan, declining Justise Winslow‘s $13 million team option is a first step in making cap space for him.
Clippers
There’s also one team in LA that has the chance to sign DeMar DeRozan, and that’s the Clippers.
His arrival would bolster the their chances to win the title, while they still have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. DeRozan will then become the third option (or the second option should Leonard miss time) who can give Los Angeles another scorer and playmaker.
However, it’s clear that they don’t have enough cap space to sign him. It would only be possible in a sign-and-trade scenario involving Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac, and Luke Kennard.
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