NBA free agency: DeMar DeRozan re-signing with Raptors

Just hours after the start of 2016 NBA free agency, DeMar DeRozan has reportedly agreed to re-sign with the Toronto Raptors

During the regular season and the playoffs, the question of what would happen with guard DeMar DeRozan in 2016 NBA free agency was a dark cloud that loomed over the Toronto Raptors. He was absolutely integral in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals, but the opportunity for him to go elsewhere seemed likely. As the start of free agency neared, though, a return to Toronto appeared more likely than not.

Now Raptors fans can rest easy as it would appear that DeMar DeRozan isn’t going anywhere.

Sam Amick of USA Today Sports was the first to report that DeRozan had agreed to re-sign with Toronto:

Soon after, Sham Charania of The Vertical added that the Raptors had signed DeRozan to a five-year deal, though the money is not yet clear as Toronto is still trying to make other things work in free agency:

This was really the ideal move for all parties involved. Obviously Toronto benefits a great deal by not losing one of the core pieces of the roster that led them to their most successful season in franchise history.

For DeMar DeRozan, though, the Raptors are home to him and he’s obviously built a rapport with the organization and the fans. Moreover, it’s a system and team that he’s familiar with and knows he can succeed as a part of.

This is the first major domino to fall in free agency, albeit a predictable one. Now we wait for more to follow.

Update

Shams Charania of The Vertical is reporting that the five-year deal for DeRozan is worth upwards of $139 million.

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