Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors Rumors: DeMar DeRozan Going to L.A. Next Season

By Paul Taylor

Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the net against Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the net against Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Stephen A. Smith claims DeMar DeRozan is leaving the Toronto Raptors after the season to move to Los Angeles, but how much credence should we put in this?

The Toronto Raptors and their fans have enough to worry about, after losing game one of their first round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Now, it’s possible they may have been given something else to concern themselves with, which goes beyond whatever happens in the coming days and weeks.

According to Stephen A. Smith, DeMar DeRozan will not be returning to Toronto next season. The ESPN personality was discussing Paul George‘s performance in game one, when he made his comments about the Raptors two-time All-Star.

Smith said: “As much as I love Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who by the way is enjoying his last days in Toronto, because he’ll be leaving for Los Angeles in a few months anyway, they’re in a world of trouble, because they’ve got to find a way to deal with Paul George.”

More from Raptors Rumors

In some respects, the NBA analyst’s claim was almost an aside – a throwaway comment if you will. The question is, does it hold any credence?

While Smith has an ability to rub people up the wrong way, there is no denying he has his contacts in the basketball world. Certainly, the Lakers are looking to find a replacement for Kobe Bryant and would be in a position to offer the max deal DeRozan is apparently after.

Further, the 26-year old returning to Los Angeles would make sense, if nothing else, because he is originally from the Compton, California area and played his college ball at USC. However, keep in mind he only recently said he was planning to stay in Toronto.

DeRozan said: “My whole mindset has always been this is home for me. I took pride in putting on this Toronto Raptors jersey since I’ve been drafted here and my whole goal was to get this team to the point where it is now.”

Toronto Raptors
Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) holds onto the ball after being knocked down against the Indiana Pacers in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

As a point of reference, let’s not forget another claim by Smith about the Los Angeles Lakers being Kevin Durant‘s preferred destination, if he leaves Oklahoma after this season. The Thunder’s All-Star responded by flat out saying he was lying and making up stories.

In truth, there is no way of knowing for sure where DeRozan will end up, no matter what he or Smith state publicly. About the only certainly at this point, is that he will opt out of his contract after this season and test the free agent market.

Interestingly, the former ninth overall draft pick’s future could at least be partly decided by how he performs for the remainder of the playoffs. If he continues as he started in game one, it could well compromise his ability to get a max offer, whether it be from Toronto, Los Angeles or whoever.

Next: Raptors roster playing for its life

What do you make of this latest speculation in respect of the future of DeRozan? Do you put any credence in Smith’s comments? Let us know in the comments section below.

Home/Raptors Rumors