The case for re-signing DeMar DeRozan, Part 1 of 2

The most important free agent decision on the Raptors agenda is whether or not to bring back DeRozan. Let’s look at value for money in the first of a two-part series.

I suppose I’m a bit late to the topic of DeMar DeRozan’s new contract with the Toronto Raptors. Since GM Masai Ujiri declared the retention of DeRozan his top off-season priority, the time has come to get caught up.

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I’m somewhat startled to read in our Comments sections the opposition many citizens of Rapture Nation have towards offering a maximum deal to DeRozan. Since I’m in favour of bringing him back, I’d best put forward a strong argument.

DeMar will be 27 when next season starts and has spent his entire 7-year NBA career with the Raptors. He reached a personal high in scoring in 2016-17, averaging 23.5 points in 78 games while making the All-Star game for the second consecutive season.

May 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the first quarter in game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

DeRozan attempted the third-most free throws, and enjoyed the second-highest number of makes, in the NBA. He reached a personal high-water mark of 33.8% in 3-point shooting, admittedly a severe weakness in his game. In fairness, I must point out DeMar scores a bunch of 3-pointers the old-fashioned way. Our friends at NBAminer place DeMar tied for fifth with Sacramento loose-cannon centre DeMarcus Cousins, both having completed 43 and-1 opportunities last season.

What is the question I always ask when postulating a Trade Proposal? If we dump so-and-so, who’s going to take his place? Let’s consider that first, because in a way we are looking at a trade. We could swap the ludicrous $25 million DeRozan may receive next season for perhaps two free agents.

Suppose, for argument’s sake, Masai did that. He persuades Jordan Clarkson and Evan Fournier to become Raptors. What – those two don’t get your pulse racing? Guess what: once you eliminate Dwyane Wade and Bradley Beal (Wade is 9, 000 basketball-years old and isn’t leaving Miami and Beal will want the same kind of money as DeMar, despite missing 81 games the past 4 seasons), Clarkson and Fournier are the best free-agent shooting guards on the market.

So much for that idea. Should we promote someone on the depth chart? Starting Norman Powell doesn’t project into how to improve on a 56-win season.

How about digging in our heels and refusing to pay DeMar max money, simply because he’s not a max player? You’ll get no argument from me if you say he’s not a superstar. But we need to remember: the Collective Bargaining Agreement doesn’t just have a salary cap – there’s a salary floor as well. If the Raptors don’t get to the floor, the CBA mandates that the delta between actual salaries and the floor must be paid to the players on the roster proportionally. That means a windfall for Terrence, Jonas et al, but no help for the team.

Next: A creative off-season for Raptors?

Paying DeRozan what he wants will mean the Raptors are over the salary cap. Well, big whoop – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment can reach into its overstuffed wallet and pony up the luxury tax. The team reached the Eastern Conference finals – ticket prices were nuts, TV ratings were through the roof. These MLSE guys have the bread, and will happily step up to whatever bill needs to be paid if there’s a fighting chance a DeRozan-led team will make a deep playoff run again. And there is.

We’ll look at “soft” issues, which are just as important as financial ones, tomorrow.

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