Earlier on in the year, it looked like DeMar DeRozan‘s summer would be among the more interesting of the 2016 free agent class. His stock was continually rising, and a strong showing in the Raptors’ Eastern Conference Finals run this year made him enticing for teams like the Lakers, Knicks and Celtics desperate for a proven playmaker at the guard position.
However, DeRozan’s loyalties appear to lie within Toronto (or within his jaw-dropping new contract). ESPN is reporting that DeRozan signed a 5-year deal worth approximately $139 million that will keep him a Raptor for the foreseeable future. This will bode extremely well for Toronto, who will need to keep their core together to continue to compete in a vastly improving Eastern Conference, especially considering the upgrades the Knicks and Pacers have already made in their backcourts this month.
The real question is, how awkward will things be between DeRozan and Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry? Lowry signed a 4-year deal two summers ago worth $48 million. This new deal has DeRozan set to make about $28 million per season.
Sheesh.
