NBA rumors: DeMar DeRozan taking ‘wide open’ approach to free agency

San Antonio Spurs swingman DeMar DeRozan is reportedly taking a “wide open approach” once he becomes a free agent this upcoming offseason.

There is approximately one month left in the NBA regular season. Not only does that mean the playoffs are approaching, it means we are getting closer to free agency. This year’s class is not going to be as loaded with talent as the 2019 class, but it still features some top end talent. One of those is San Antonio Spurs swingman DeMar DeRozan, but how will he approach it?

A source told Sam Amick and John Hollinger of The Athletic that DeRozan will take a “wide open” approach to free agency in terms of where he will sign.

Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan will consider all options in free agency this summer

In Amick and Hollinger’s piece, they mention that the way Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich used DeRozan the past three seasons will help increase his value on the open market. Why is that? DeRozan is a shooter, but he became more of a playmaker in San Antonio.

DeRozan arrived in San Antonio in 2018 from the Toronto Raptors, who acquired Kawhi Leonard. As the veteran watched his former team win the NBA title without him, he improved his game on the retooling Spurs team that is in the playoff hunt.

Through 41 games with the Spurs, DeRozan is already averaging a career-high 7.0 assists per game, with his previous high being 6.2 in his first season in San Antonio (2018-19). Besides the assists, DeRozan is averaging 21.0 points and 4.0 rebounds a night while shooting 49.3 percent from the field.

With Leonard expected to re-sign with the LA Clippers this offseason, DeRozan’s market increases even further as the top wing player. Where DeRozan ends up is anyone’s guess, but as the above report says, he will keep his options open.