DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs
Not only is DeRozan a very well-respected player around the league by players and executives, but he is a guy who can still play at a high-level. After being traded to the San Antonio Spurs two years ago in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, DeRozan had a chip on his shoulder and had to prove to everyone that he could be successful somewhere else other than Toronto.
He did just that and over these last two seasons, has averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists and has shot 50.6% from the floor. DeMar DeRozan is a floor general and a guy who is extremely reliable with the ball in his hands. You know what you are going to get with a guy like DeRozan, which is why he still holds a lot of value at age 31.
With just one year left on his contract, even though he is owed over $27M this season, DeMar DeRozan is a very attractive name when it comes to the trade market. Plenty of teams who are championship contenders would be willing to acquire DeRozan, even if it is for one year.
Look at the trade DeRozan was involved in just two years ago! He was traded for Kawhi Leonard, a one-year loan by the Toronto Raptors, and as a result, they won their first championship in franchise history. DeMar DeRozan could be involved in a trade much like he was a couple of years ago, but be on the opposite side of the trade. Now, he could be the guy going to a team in attempts to win a championship, something he missed out on after being traded from the Toronto Raptors.
Another reason why DeMar DeRozan is a hot name on the trade market this offseason is because the San Antonio Spurs may finally be ready to rebuild their roster. LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay are also two aging veterans on this team and after missing the NBA Playoffs for the first time in two decades, the Spurs may look to acquire draft assets to build this team back into a championship contender.
At this point, the Spurs are in no position to contend for an NBA title and even make the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference. The best thing they could do for their organization and their veteran players is to move on from them and acquire draft assets that will set this team up for success for the next couple of decades. The Spurs are notorious for building their team through the draft and as a result, helped elevate them to four championships since 2002.
