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Toronto Raptors: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter /
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DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 29: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors goes to the basket past Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on March 29, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

4. player. 81. . Shooting Guard. University of Southern California. DeMar DeRozan

Despite recent postseason challenges, DeMar DeRozan remains one of, if not the, most important Raptor(s) in franchise history. Drafted ninth overall out of USC, DeRozan ranks top five in franchise history in games played (1st), points (1st), assists (3rd), rebounds (5th) and steals (2nd). Over the course of his career, he has averaged 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game, while continuing to be the first or second best player on the team since his sophomore season.

Despite accomplishing all of this in his first nine seasons in the league, DeRozan is just now hitting his peak. At 28 years old, DeRozan is coming off an All-NBA season in which he helped lead the team to the best record in franchise history.

With DeRozan at the helm, the Toronto Raptors have experienced their first sustained success as a franchise. Over the past five seasons, the Raptors have a winning percentage of 64.1 percent; prior to DeMar’s arrival, Toronto’s best five-year span produced a winning percentage of just 47.9.

Moving forward, it’s not clear what DeRozan’s role with the franchise will be. For the first time in his career there has been some speculation that it may be time to part ways with the accomplished shooting guard.

Despite these rumblings, it’s very unlikely DeMar is dealt this offseason, or anytime soon. Even if DeRozan is traded, he has accomplished more in his nine seasons in Toronto than any Raptor in franchise history.