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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
In '17-'18, Derozan's last season in Toronto, he shot a career high 276 threes, which was still in the 7th percentile for his position, per Cleaning the Glass. After being traded to San Antonio, he has essentially refused to take threes, being in the very bottom percentile of three point frequency for his position, while being in the very top percentile in midrange frequency. To his credit, Derozan is one of the top midrange shooters in the league, and a poor three point shooter, so it's not like it's just an obvious answer to just starting shooting more threes, but I think everyone knows the spacing benefit that it can provide. Derozan has also really evolved as a playmaker, even averaging nearly 7 assists this past season.
At this point his career, teams that will be interested in Derozan will be teams that lack shot creation. There are times, especially in the playoffs, when the offense bogs down and you just need someone to create an okay look in isolation late in the shot clock. Derozan can do that. The problem though is what does Derozan do in the plays where he isn't asked to create. Teams won't respect him spotting up, which could hurt his value on team like Dallas, where he would be a secondary option next to Luka Doncic. After Dallas and Miami (where he may be somewhat superfluous with Jimmy Butler, at least on offense), there aren't many playoff teams with space above the Mid-Level Exception, so Derozan may struggle to find a big offer.
Cap Considerations
DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent with full Bird rights. As his cap hold ($39.3 million) exceeds the salary he will get in free agency, his cap hold is not really relevant. If the Spurs re-sign DeRozan, his cap hold will be replaced by his starting salary, and the Spurs may still have some cap space available depending on his salary and what happens with their other free agents. If DeRozan is brought back by the Spurs on a multi-year contract, they could benefit from frontloading his contract, as it could give them additional flexibility in the future.
DeRozan will demand a starting salary of more than the full $9.5 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, which means only teams with cap space will be able to sign him. If DeRozan and an over-the-cap team have mutual interest, sign-and-trade options can be explored.
Potential Teams: Knicks, Lakers, Hornets, Mavericks, Spurs
Predicted Contract: 2-year, $38 million with the Knicks
Actual Contract: 3-year, $81.9 million with the Bulls
DeRozan was one of my bigger misses of the offseason, getting significantly more money and a longer contract than I predicted.
Last updated: 8/17/2021
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