[OhCanada-Participant]

 Sorry for another Derozan thread but he probably deserves it and DeMar threads are few and far between on this site. But I just wanna ask for a definitive answer. What possible benefits are there for him to leave.

Here’s the facts. Toronto is his team he built the culture. The Raptors want him back. They had the best year in franchise history and should only get better. There are no teams that can offer as much money or as bright a future. He said he wants to return. Management said he wants to return. Management said they want him back. Teammates said they want him back. Teammates said he will be back.

So why are there still people who thinks he is leaving. Earlier this year I made a post about how stupid ESPNs trade rumours of Derozan for Julius f’ing Randle were. Now they are making free agency rumours everyone just eats it up.

Sorry guys and gals Raptors resign Derozan and win 60 games next year. King James has some serious competition out East.

 

 

 

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

Demar is gone bro. Get over it. They only chance Raptora have of even coming close to beating lebron in a 7 game series is to add another super star. And that’s not gunna happen. In LA he will have super stars being recruited to the team every year. Rebuild time for Toronto 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

Demar is gone bro. Get over it. They only chance Raptora have of even coming close to beating lebron in a 7 game series is to add another super star. And that’s not gunna happen. In LA he will have super stars being recruited to the team every year. Rebuild time for Toronto 

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 How is it rebuild time when we lose Demar? If you look at his metrics he’s easily addition by subtraction. He isn’t worth the max. Have fun with him in LA he won’t make you guys better.

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 How is it rebuild time when we lose Demar? If you look at his metrics he’s easily addition by subtraction. He isn’t worth the max. Have fun with him in LA he won’t make you guys better.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Mike Mazzeo
ESPN Staff Writer
TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan expressed a desire to stay with the Toronto Raptors one day after his team was eliminated from the playoffs.

DeRozan, who will become an unrestricted free agent July 1, has been with the Raptors for his entire career. He was asked specifically if he can find a better situation than Toronto

“I don’t think so,” DeRozan said Saturday. “My mindset has always been Toronto. I’ve always preached it. I was passionate about it when we were losing, when we were terrible. I said I was going to stick through this whole thing, and I want to be that guy who brings this organization to where it is now. I definitely don’t want to switch that up after we win.”

DeMar DeRozan told reporters Saturday that he wants to return to the Raptors, downplaying the buzz that he could sign with his hometown Lakers as a free agent. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
DeRozan, a two-time All-Star who averaged 23.5 points per game during the regular season, has been linked to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers, who could be one of several teams to offer him a maximum contract starting at $25 million annually.

Per collective bargaining rules, the Raptors will be able to offer DeRozan up to five years at around $145 million, whereas other teams will be able to offer him up to four years at around $107 million. Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri will address the media early next week.

“I grew up in L.A. That’s my home. There’s not a part of L.A. I haven’t seen,” said DeRozan, who attended Compton High School and USC before being selected No. 9 overall by Toronto in the 2009 NBA draft. “I don’t get caught up into it. I let whoever comes up with that say what they want to say.

“The only thing appealing to me is the things I’ve done in this organization and the things that can be done here. And that’s always been my mindset since I’ve been here.”

This is not the first time DeRozan has made his hopes known.

“I’ve been saying it for a long time. I haven’t changed, not one bit,” DeRozan said. “I took pride in putting that Raptors jersey on when people counted us out or when people said, ‘Why go to Toronto? Why this, why that, why this, why that?’ You hear it so much — that gave me the motivation to want to prove people wrong or prove critics wrong — why this organization can’t be a winning organization. You know what I mean? I took pride in that a long time ago. To see how far [we’ve come], that’s what it’s all about.”

[circumlocution75Participant]

 for Raptors fans when you are hoping the National Media & Web Sites talk about what a great young Core Toronto has & how much the Raptors have done as a true Eastern Conference contender………

And instead you get Blasted w/ Completely Manufactured rumors one of your Star players is going to Leave to play for a Losing Franchise & for less $$$$…….

Fact is that Max FA’s in their Prime almost Never leave their current team b/c of the Larry Bird rule at the Very least but mainly b/c they have a really good relationship w/ the current team & town & why would Anyone want to leave that atmosphere……….

If people go back & research what an Absolute Genius Dr. Gerry Buss was at Building a Historically Great Lakers team from Nothing (Lakers had Not been to a Finals in nearly a Decade prior to Buss purchasing the team)…………………….

They would realize how Utterly ridiculous it sounds to think or say that Utterly Clueless Mitch Kupchack & Jim Buss are going to simply BUY Great players b/c the Weather is nice in LA & there are Smoking hot chicks there……….

 If Dr. Buss was still alive & young enough to run that Franchise he would work his Genius again…….. & the Very FIRST thing Dr. Buss would do is Fire his son, daughter & Kupchack b/c it’s clear None have a Clue……. 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 for Raptors fans when you are hoping the National Media & Web Sites talk about what a great young Core Toronto has & how much the Raptors have done as a true Eastern Conference contender………

And instead you get Blasted w/ Completely Manufactured rumors one of your Star players is going to Leave to play for a Losing Franchise & for less $$$$…….

Fact is that Max FA’s in their Prime almost Never leave their current team b/c of the Larry Bird rule at the Very least but mainly b/c they have a really good relationship w/ the current team & town & why would Anyone want to leave that atmosphere……….

If people go back & research what an Absolute Genius Dr. Gerry Buss was at Building a Historically Great Lakers team from Nothing (Lakers had Not been to a Finals in nearly a Decade prior to Buss purchasing the team)…………………….

They would realize how Utterly ridiculous it sounds to think or say that Utterly Clueless Mitch Kupchack & Jim Buss are going to simply BUY Great players b/c the Weather is nice in LA & there are Smoking hot chicks there……….

 If Dr. Buss was still alive & young enough to run that Franchise he would work his Genius again…….. & the Very FIRST thing Dr. Buss would do is Fire his son, daughter & Kupchack b/c it’s clear None have a Clue……. 

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Mike Mazzeo
ESPN Staff Writer
TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan expressed a desire to stay with the Toronto Raptors one day after his team was eliminated from the playoffs.

DeRozan, who will become an unrestricted free agent July 1, has been with the Raptors for his entire career. He was asked specifically if he can find a better situation than Toronto

“I don’t think so,” DeRozan said Saturday. “My mindset has always been Toronto. I’ve always preached it. I was passionate about it when we were losing, when we were terrible. I said I was going to stick through this whole thing, and I want to be that guy who brings this organization to where it is now. I definitely don’t want to switch that up after we win.”

DeMar DeRozan told reporters Saturday that he wants to return to the Raptors, downplaying the buzz that he could sign with his hometown Lakers as a free agent. Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
DeRozan, a two-time All-Star who averaged 23.5 points per game during the regular season, has been linked to his hometown Los Angeles Lakers, who could be one of several teams to offer him a maximum contract starting at $25 million annually.

Per collective bargaining rules, the Raptors will be able to offer DeRozan up to five years at around $145 million, whereas other teams will be able to offer him up to four years at around $107 million. Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri will address the media early next week.

“I grew up in L.A. That’s my home. There’s not a part of L.A. I haven’t seen,” said DeRozan, who attended Compton High School and USC before being selected No. 9 overall by Toronto in the 2009 NBA draft. “I don’t get caught up into it. I let whoever comes up with that say what they want to say.

“The only thing appealing to me is the things I’ve done in this organization and the things that can be done here. And that’s always been my mindset since I’ve been here.”

This is not the first time DeRozan has made his hopes known.

“I’ve been saying it for a long time. I haven’t changed, not one bit,” DeRozan said. “I took pride in putting that Raptors jersey on when people counted us out or when people said, ‘Why go to Toronto? Why this, why that, why this, why that?’ You hear it so much — that gave me the motivation to want to prove people wrong or prove critics wrong — why this organization can’t be a winning organization. You know what I mean? I took pride in that a long time ago. To see how far [we’ve come], that’s what it’s all about.”

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Fact is the Lakers suck and the Knicks suck but they are the most profitable basketball teams so the media is always going to try and suck dry other franchises storylines and somehow link it to those two teams when they don’t have their own media booming. Derozan is a hot commodity after that playoff run so instead of making an article congratulating Toronto and Derozan and talking about realistic expectations for their futures they link him to the Lakers and the garbage gets eatin up like Twinkies even when he outright says he’s not going anywhere. Lowry was supposed to sign with Houston or New York recently.

Anyways I’m done trying to show you guys he isn’t leaving I don’t know what more evidence you guys need because you haven’t provided me one bit of evidence linking him to the Lakers other than Lil Romeo posing for TMZ and saying things he probably regrets saying.

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Are LA and NY really that much more profitable these days? Pre internet, it definitely woud have been, but now in the ‘global marketplace’ it’s possibe to get a good deal wherever you are. Besides, look at it this way, LA and NY are big vibrant cities. The Raptors represent not only a city, but a country. I don’t think he loses out on any marketing dollars by staying in Toronto. 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 Are LA and NY really that much more profitable these days? Pre internet, it definitely woud have been, but now in the ‘global marketplace’ it’s possibe to get a good deal wherever you are. Besides, look at it this way, LA and NY are big vibrant cities. The Raptors represent not only a city, but a country. I don’t think he loses out on any marketing dollars by staying in Toronto. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Fact is the Lakers suck and the Knicks suck but they are the most profitable basketball teams so the media is always going to try and suck dry other franchises storylines and somehow link it to those two teams when they don’t have their own media booming. Derozan is a hot commodity after that playoff run so instead of making an article congratulating Toronto and Derozan and talking about realistic expectations for their futures they link him to the Lakers and the garbage gets eatin up like Twinkies even when he outright says he’s not going anywhere. Lowry was supposed to sign with Houston or New York recently.

Anyways I’m done trying to show you guys he isn’t leaving I don’t know what more evidence you guys need because you haven’t provided me one bit of evidence linking him to the Lakers other than Lil Romeo posing for TMZ and saying things he probably regrets saying.

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 If he stays in Toronto he will be as famous as Mo Peterson, if he goes to the Lakers he will be the next Jerry West, Byron Scott, Eddie Jones, Kobe Bryant for being famous.  Edge to LA.

Unless he doesn’t like his friends and family, edge to LA as he lived there every year of his life except the Raptors ones.

If DeRozan isn’t the biggest free agent the Lakers sign, then that team will be better than the Raptors.  All the money and draft picks, Lakers can rapidly improve.  Raptors are maxed out of DeRozan stays, which will also cause Biyambo and others to leave.

If Toronto fans think they are the second best team in the east, very wrong.  They are tied with around 10 teams for that spot, a long way behind the Cavs.  A shot or referee call in the Pacers series, a healthy Bosh or a shot for the Heat, Raptors are out a lot earlier.  DeRozan is going to Vince Carter sometime, knowing he is wasting his career where he can’t win and also isn’t getting any real attention from fans.

Maybe he stays, and will be overpaid, but if someone was a Lakers fan, their favorite player was Bryant, they attended Bryant’s basketball camp, they had a chance to play for the Lakers, that would seem to be something they would want to do and be a Lakers shooting guard.  DeRozan is one of the few NBA players that Kobe talks to, and DeRozan’s favorite NBA memory is Kobe scoring 81.

The question shouldn’t be why DeRozan will leave, but what reasons are there to stay?  Play for an obscure team, or follow your favorite player and play for your favorite team for similar money, once Canadian taxes are considered.

Right now, 50-50 would seem to be the decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JV’s_pump_fakeParticipant]

 Byron Scott and Eddie Jones?

 

Oh snap! Outta my way i gotta sign right now!

 

Lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JV’s_pump_fakeParticipant]

 Byron Scott and Eddie Jones?

 

Oh snap! Outta my way i gotta sign right now!

 

Lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 If he stays in Toronto he will be as famous as Mo Peterson, if he goes to the Lakers he will be the next Jerry West, Byron Scott, Eddie Jones, Kobe Bryant for being famous.  Edge to LA.

Unless he doesn’t like his friends and family, edge to LA as he lived there every year of his life except the Raptors ones.

If DeRozan isn’t the biggest free agent the Lakers sign, then that team will be better than the Raptors.  All the money and draft picks, Lakers can rapidly improve.  Raptors are maxed out of DeRozan stays, which will also cause Biyambo and others to leave.

If Toronto fans think they are the second best team in the east, very wrong.  They are tied with around 10 teams for that spot, a long way behind the Cavs.  A shot or referee call in the Pacers series, a healthy Bosh or a shot for the Heat, Raptors are out a lot earlier.  DeRozan is going to Vince Carter sometime, knowing he is wasting his career where he can’t win and also isn’t getting any real attention from fans.

Maybe he stays, and will be overpaid, but if someone was a Lakers fan, their favorite player was Bryant, they attended Bryant’s basketball camp, they had a chance to play for the Lakers, that would seem to be something they would want to do and be a Lakers shooting guard.  DeRozan is one of the few NBA players that Kobe talks to, and DeRozan’s favorite NBA memory is Kobe scoring 81.

The question shouldn’t be why DeRozan will leave, but what reasons are there to stay?  Play for an obscure team, or follow your favorite player and play for your favorite team for similar money, once Canadian taxes are considered.

Right now, 50-50 would seem to be the decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JV’s_pump_fakeParticipant]

 I find it amazing how delusional Lakers fans can be.

L.A. isn’t even close to contending, have a tougher road to the playoffs let alone the final and they ignore how loyal Demarhas proven to be again and again. 

 

Get ready for what he Knicks go through every year lake show, striking out on top tier FA’s and signing the next best.

 

Rebuilding continues in the mecca (s) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JV’s_pump_fakeParticipant]

 I find it amazing how delusional Lakers fans can be.

L.A. isn’t even close to contending, have a tougher road to the playoffs let alone the final and they ignore how loyal Demarhas proven to be again and again. 

 

Get ready for what he Knicks go through every year lake show, striking out on top tier FA’s and signing the next best.

 

Rebuilding continues in the mecca (s) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I hope he stays in Toronto.  I’ll take a hard pass on Derozan to the Lakers.  I’ve had to watch a ball stopping two guard for along time and unless Derozan brings 5 championships he isn’t worth watching that again.  I want to see a fluid offense.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I hope he stays in Toronto.  I’ll take a hard pass on Derozan to the Lakers.  I’ve had to watch a ball stopping two guard for along time and unless Derozan brings 5 championships he isn’t worth watching that again.  I want to see a fluid offense.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Lets just be honest about this. The Lakers do suck but they can surround Demar with a better long term situation. BUT,….I cant see him leaving after Toronto’s magical season this year. Wise choice would be to go 1+1 and see how things work out next year (Lowry/Carroll are closing in on the fall off and Biyombo wont be able to be retained without sheding salary). If the team shows that its run was that of mere fortune with less talemnt surrounding their conference he can show that he was loyal to Toronto but just couldnt stay on a sinking ship and bail,….orif things work out and they progress or stay at the top while advancing deep again then he can stay and sign for an even larger amount of money.

Personal opinion says he should bail beause they arent going to be any better next and are strapped with nearly 30 million to two pushing the tail end of their prime. Every kid wants to be able to go home and turn the team they grew up watching and rooting for back into the super team theyve always been known for while being the star of the team. Hell, for all that matters their are in fact other teams out there just needing a guy like derozan who could p[otentially take him on to push them over the top. If I’m Toronto, I’d be worried, not about the Lakers, but about the League as a whole.

Either way Demar 

 

 

[iguapops420Participant]

 Lets just be honest about this. The Lakers do suck but they can surround Demar with a better long term situation. BUT,….I cant see him leaving after Toronto’s magical season this year. Wise choice would be to go 1+1 and see how things work out next year (Lowry/Carroll are closing in on the fall off and Biyombo wont be able to be retained without sheding salary). If the team shows that its run was that of mere fortune with less talemnt surrounding their conference he can show that he was loyal to Toronto but just couldnt stay on a sinking ship and bail,….orif things work out and they progress or stay at the top while advancing deep again then he can stay and sign for an even larger amount of money.

Personal opinion says he should bail beause they arent going to be any better next and are strapped with nearly 30 million to two pushing the tail end of their prime. Every kid wants to be able to go home and turn the team they grew up watching and rooting for back into the super team theyve always been known for while being the star of the team. Hell, for all that matters their are in fact other teams out there just needing a guy like derozan who could p[otentially take him on to push them over the top. If I’m Toronto, I’d be worried, not about the Lakers, but about the League as a whole.

Either way Demar 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Personally I think he will stay but $145 million over 5 years for a max deal is scary for any player outside the top table in the NBA. DeRozan is an elite scorer and is at his peak plus he’s a fairly durable player only missing a sizeable amount of games in one of his 7 seasons so far.

He is on a good team in the Raptors and they should stay near the top of the East for the next few years, only Cleveland and Boston potentially probably look stronger than them at this moment. He is only 27 this year so can take a very nice deal and take things from there, he can ask for no trade clause if he wanted and still have flexability to request a trade if things aren’t going as he may want.

He’d only be 31/32 when the next deal expires so could easily hop onto a legit contender then as a veteran if he so wanted.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Personally I think he will stay but $145 million over 5 years for a max deal is scary for any player outside the top table in the NBA. DeRozan is an elite scorer and is at his peak plus he’s a fairly durable player only missing a sizeable amount of games in one of his 7 seasons so far.

He is on a good team in the Raptors and they should stay near the top of the East for the next few years, only Cleveland and Boston potentially probably look stronger than them at this moment. He is only 27 this year so can take a very nice deal and take things from there, he can ask for no trade clause if he wanted and still have flexability to request a trade if things aren’t going as he may want.

He’d only be 31/32 when the next deal expires so could easily hop onto a legit contender then as a veteran if he so wanted.

 

 

[llperez]

I ain’t even mad if the lakers strike out in free agency, getting the second pick was huge and I believe in the young guys we have. If derozan wants to return to la then great. But I wouldn’t be upset if we don’t hit any home runs in free agency. This group is gonna be fun to watch grow together.

[llperez]

I ain’t even mad if the lakers strike out in free agency, getting the second pick was huge and I believe in the young guys we have. If derozan wants to return to la then great. But I wouldn’t be upset if we don’t hit any home runs in free agency. This group is gonna be fun to watch grow together.

[TheGuyParticipant]

 I wouldn’t be super excited if my team signed Derozan to the max, actually I’d be super upset.

[TheGuyParticipant]

 I wouldn’t be super excited if my team signed Derozan to the max, actually I’d be super upset.

[xJumpManxParticipant]

Has some family issues and being back in LA would help resolve some of these issues. 

[xJumpManxParticipant]

Has some family issues and being back in LA would help resolve some of these issues. 

[PatrickMurphyParticipant]

 Any chance he signs a one-year plus player option like Durant is expected to do in OKC?

This would allow him to benefit from the increase in the salary cap and also buy him time to see how things shake out in Toronto for another year.

Risk would be injury/bad performance that hurt his value and also the possibility that the Lakers or other interested teams would have used up cap space.

 

 

[PatrickMurphyParticipant]

 Any chance he signs a one-year plus player option like Durant is expected to do in OKC?

This would allow him to benefit from the increase in the salary cap and also buy him time to see how things shake out in Toronto for another year.

Risk would be injury/bad performance that hurt his value and also the possibility that the Lakers or other interested teams would have used up cap space.

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Most of the DeRozan stuff seems to be manufactured by LA fans hoping to sign him. I don’t think most people actually think he’ll leave. It’s people that want there to be more free agents on the market, and want LA to load up in the offseason. 

Hard to see him leaving. Very rarely do players leave their current organizations for less money and less winning. The Lakers can’t offer him as much money, nor can they offer him immediate success. They can offer him glitz and glam…all sizzle. DeRozan can get that anywhere now because Toronto is one of the best teams in the East. 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Most of the DeRozan stuff seems to be manufactured by LA fans hoping to sign him. I don’t think most people actually think he’ll leave. It’s people that want there to be more free agents on the market, and want LA to load up in the offseason. 

Hard to see him leaving. Very rarely do players leave their current organizations for less money and less winning. The Lakers can’t offer him as much money, nor can they offer him immediate success. They can offer him glitz and glam…all sizzle. DeRozan can get that anywhere now because Toronto is one of the best teams in the East. 

 

[Author]

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