DeMar DeRozan's Free Agency Woes Round 2
2 years ago DeRozan was looking for another big pay day and starting role on a contending squad. Much like this summer, the money and role wasn't exactly adding up. There was a fair amount of confusion about this situation from Spurs fans, so I wrote up a wordy post explaining his place in the league and why he isn't a very useful player anymore on a legit contender.
I feel like he's in the exact same dilemma as he was then and faces the exact same crossroads. 2 summers ago I said:
"He [DeRozan] will have to make a choice soon. His first option is to suck it up, understand his place in the league, and accept less money (doesn't have to be the MLE, but close) and be a secondary piece/6th man on a legit title contender.
Another is to accept his usual money on yet another pseudo-contender, possibly the Kings. The last is to remain a number one option and progress up the scoring record chart as a tank commander somewhere. He's not going to do a one-year deal imo, that would be humiliating."
The "contenders" this time around would be the Heat or Warriors I guess? Definitely less money there. It's either that or become a tank commander officially. DeRozan's PR team has really been putting him out there these past few weeks doing all the media spots and podcasts. But his twitter post Monday said it pretty plainly: "In closing I remain the same. I come as I leave.." He's not gonna change. He's never changed. He's about scoring and money. And he's ok with that.
But it's why the Raptors let him go. And why every other team he's been on eventually had to as well. When push came to shove, he wasn't worth the money he was looking for anymore and still isn't.