DeMar DeRozan Trade Rumors: Raptors Explored Swap, May Be Open to Offseason Move
Still reeling after being swept out of the NBA playoffs, the Toronto Raptors were reportedly considering major changes involving DeMar DeRozan last year.
Per Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Raptors "quietly explored" trade options for DeRozan last offseason and could be open to it again this summer.
Toronto already made one significant move this offseason by firing head coach Dwane Casey on May 11.
The Raptors won a franchise-record 59 games last season, earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time. The Cleveland Cavaliers have eliminated them in each of the past three years, taking 12 of 14 games, however.
DeRozan still has two more guaranteed seasons left on the five-year, $139 million deal he signed in July 2016. His contract also includes a player option worth $27.7 million for 2020-21, per Spotrac.
In nine seasons with the Raptors, DeRozan has averaged 19.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. The 28-year-old has been named to the All-Star team four times, including each of the past three years.
