NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Eyeing DeMar DeRozan, Spurs Could Move Centerpiece Of Kawhi Leonard Deal

Who will be the next NBA star that gets traded? It’s a question basketball fans have asked since many of the league’s top players changed teams during the summer.

Bradley Beal appeared to be the easy answer, but that changed when he signed a contract extension last month. The new deal will prevent the Washington Wizards from moving their star guard before February’s trade deadline.

The latest trade rumors suggest that DeMar DeRozan could be the best player that gets dealt during the 2019-2020 NBA season.

According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Orlando Magic have expressed interest in acquiring DeRozan. All of the front-office executives that spoke with O’Connor indicated they wouldn’t be surprised to see the San Antonio Spurs trade the veteran.

DeRozan’s impending free agency makes him a candidate to be traded. The 30-year-old has a $27.7 million player option for the 2020-2021 season. San Antonio and DeRozan have been unable to agree on an extension.

With the 2020 free agency class thought to be extremely weak, DeRozan might be smart to test the open market.

Orlando is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 3-7 record, in desperate need of scoring. After making the 2019 playoffs as a No.7 seed, the Magic have the NBA’s second-worst offensive rating through 10 games.

The Spurs have lost five of seven games after beginning the season on a three-game winning streak. San Antonio is considered to be a fringe playoff contender in the Western Conference.

DeRozan made four All-Star teams in five seasons with the Toronto Raptors before he was sent to San Antonio in the summer of 2018 as part of the Kawhi Leonard trade. Toronto went on to win its first championship in franchise history. San Antonio was bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

DeRozan is averaging 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 10 games. It’s his lowest scoring average since the 2012-2013 season.