The Toronto Raptors will be the first team to officially talk to DeMar DeRozan, as he remains intent on re-signing.
DeMar DeRozan may be a free agent by definition, but he wants Toronto Raptors fans to know that he’s not planning on signing with any other team.
A couple of days ago, ESPN reported that DeRozan doesn’t plan on meeting with anyone else unless talks between him and the Raptors break down.
And sure enough, once the negotiation window for free agents opens, the Raptors will be the first team to talk to DeMar, and they’ve left no time for anybody else to speak to him:
ESPN sources say DeMar DeRozan is expected to meet face-to-face with Raptors officials in L.A. shortly after free agency starts at 12:01 AM
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2016
Perhaps the fact that the meeting is in Los Angeles is meant to rub salt in the wound of any L.A. Lakers fans who had wished to see him play for his hometown team.
DeRozan is expected to get a max contract despite the fact that he was a wildly inconsistent playoff performer. But last season was also the first time since 2001 that the Raptors got out of the first round, so it’s not like they were going to do it the easy way.
On the whole, DeRozan had a great season, as he put up career highs in points (23.5), assists (4), free throw percentage (.085), and three-point shooting (.338). He was also part of the best Raptors team in franchise history, and it’s the only team he’s ever known.
He’s been with the team through its extreme highs and lows, and Raptors fans would be heartbroken if he left. But if this is any indication, DeRozan will be part of the team for at least another five years as they look to build upon their success from last year.
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