NBA Rumors: Raptors President Needs To Fix Relationship With DeRozan Before Thinking Reunion

DeMar DeRozan is one of the big names expected to be available in the offseason and several teams are likely to consider him. One team that would make sense is the Toronto Raptors although that may depend on whether wounds have healed. Strained relationships are still in the air, a result of that trade in 2018.

As most know, it was one of the blockbuster NBA trades that saw DeRozan move to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. It was a trade that most never expected, likely including DeRozan. For the Raptors, the move paid off as they were able to win their first NBA title. And a lot of the credit there goes to team president Masai Ujiri.

Most know that Leonard stayed only a year and is now with the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto has managed to survive even with his exit but could be in a position to sign a star player in the offseason. That player could be DeRozan, assuming that all is already well between him and Ujiri.

No less than Ujiri himself admitted that all is not yet well between him and DeRozan. He mentioned this during an interview with Ernie Johnson via ESPN.

“DeMar, I was in the hotel in Kenya, and I walked around that hotel at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., for a couple of hours, trying to gather up enough strength and courage to make this phone call. I will never forget it…," Ujiri said. “With DeMar, there is still plenty of work to be done. But, by the grace of God, it will all get better. We have to continue to make these tough decisions. But that’s the business of basketball and the position that we are in.”

In a previous post, it was mentioned how DeRozan plans to hit free agency with the Spurs hardly showing signs of re-signing him. He was due to make $27.7 million had he stayed in San Antonio but it appears he prefers to get a long-term contract instead. Though the Spurs have struggled this NBA season, DeRozan has put up decent numbers.

In 61 games, DeRozan averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He has shot well from the field (53.5 percent) but miserable from beyond the arc (26.7 percent). Regardless he is an offensive weapon that the Raptors could use if he and Ujiri can straighten things out.

If not Toronto, other teams could check him out. However, that may exclude powerhouse teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams are strapped for cash right now and adding another max-contract player seems farthest from their minds.