Toronto Raptors Trade Rumors: Raps To Trade DeRozan For Cavs' Tristan Thompson?
Toronto Raptors scoring guard DeMar DeRozan has been rumored to be in the trading block given his pending free agency.
As reported by yibada.com, given the possibility that DeRozan could leave the team via free agency, the Raptors could explore trades for him since "the projected max salary for him would not sit well with Raptors GM Masai Ujiri, especially since they believe they have a legitimate shot at Kevin Durant."
As per sportsworldreport.com, when asked about DeRozan's free agency, the Raptors GM said "There will be no extension talks with DeMar [before the end of the 2015-16 season]. He can only extend for a certain amount of money and I just foresee that DeMar sees himself- and we see him- as more than that type of a player. So I think DeMar is going to wait to see how it goes this year and do the best deal for himself, and we'll do the best deal for ourselves, too."
The Los Angeles Lakers would be the best fit for the scoring guard. With D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle deemed as untouchables, Jordan Clarkson would be the Lakers' best bet in acquiring the Raptors' scoring guard.
With Clarkson's more affordable contract and high potential, the Raptors could be inclined to build a team around Kyle Lowry, Jordan Clarkson and possibly Kevin Durant.
If the Lakers were to return to championship contention, a D'Angelo Russell, DeMar DeRozan and Julius Randle could be their best bet.
However, experts believe that the struggling Lakers would not make a drastic move during the season as they have incentive to be in the bottom of the standings to keep their 1st round draft pick.
In comes the Cleveland Cavaliers who are seen as a potential trading partner for the Raptors. With a bloated salary cap, the Cavs have been rumored to trade for a scoring guard as their front court is already loaded with Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson battling for minutes.
The potential trade would include the Raptors trading DeRozan and Terrence Ross for the Canadian Tristan Thompson. Experts believe that the Raptors' biggest need is to improve their rebounding and defense which a player like Thompson could provide.
