Perhaps the only negative side-effect from the Kawhi Leonard trade, which indirectly helped the Toronto Raptors bring home the first championship in franchise history, was the fact that DeMar DeRozan had to be sent to the San Antonio Spurs. One of the best players in franchise history was unceremoniously dumped and sent to The Alamo.
DeRozan was a four-time All-Star that helped the Raptors become a perennial playoff team after years of futility, but the former USC star was flipped out West in a way that irreparably damaged his relationship with president Masai Ujiri.
The combination of increased competition at guard in the West and San Antonio’s lack of success in the win-loss column has prevented DeRozan from getting All-Star buzz. That could change this year, however, as he is one of the driving forces behind a Spurs team that could end up back in the postseason.
While DeRozan is scoring less than he did last year, he is on pace for a career-high in assists per game at 6.9. That number, coupled with the fact that he’s turning the ball over at the lowest rate in his career and he’s leading a Spurs playoff push, could be enough to get DeRozan to Atlanta after getting snubbed last season.
DeMar DeRozan was once described as inefficient & a poor facilitator. His game has never been better.
— Damien Bartonek (@tvBartonek) February 13, 2021
Coming into tonight he was 10th in APG, shooting nearly 49 percent from the floor.
Tonight through 26 minutes, he was 23-8-6 on 63.6% shooting. All-Star this man. #GoSpursGo
DeMar DeRozan’s success has to make Raptors fans happy
If DeRozan gets his scoring average back above 20 per game (it currently sits at 19.8), he will be one of six players in the NBA averaging 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists per game. Four of the other five (LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Luka Doncic) will almost assuredly make the All-Star game, and Russell Westbrook will at least get some consideration.
The Spurs might not play the most exciting brand of basketball in the world, but DeRozan has found the perfect coach for him. In a league where the midrange is disappearing, DeRozan is the king of the 18-footer, and Gregg Popovich’s willingness to let DeRozan be himself has the Spurs in the playoff hunt despite plenty of competition.
I have to believe the coaches will vote him in (even if he doesnt’ want to go like most of the players, again, what are we doing here), but it’s important that DeMar DeRozan gets an All-Star nod for what he’s done this season.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 8, 2021
As tough as it was for Raptors fans to see him go, DeRozan is thriving in San Antonio, and the Raptors have a ring on their fingers. That’s a pretty solid trade-off.
While getting rid of DeRozan was necessary in order to give the Raptors a championship, Toronto fans that were carried to many a victory by No. 10 and his lethal midrange game have to like the fact that he’s playing some of the best ball of his career in San Antonio.