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Everything is an option this offseason, according to Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri. With that said, the former Executive of the Year has a strong record of not “selling low” on players. He’ll do it if the opportunity arises – in 2013, he dealt the slumping Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings for a host of role players – but typically likes to buy low and sell high.
Knowing this, it’s hard to see Ujiri parting ways with All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, whose form in this year’s playoffs was as bad as it’s been for years. His prolonged slump, coupled with injury issues and age, is killing his trade value.
For DeMar DeRozan, this might not be the case. While he wasn’t exactly a world-beater against the Washington Wizards either, he had a very strong second half of the season that should get executives around the league to buy in for a potential trade.
Why not keep DeRozan, if he played so well? Well, I’ve written before about how DeRozan’s hot second half was fool’s gold. He’s not a franchise player; he doesn’t have “it”. He’s too slow, doesn’t shoot threes well, is not a vocal leader and doesn’t have the passing, defense or basketball intelligence to make up for these deficiencies.
Trading DeRozan would allow young Terrence Ross to explore new parts of his game. For three years now Ross has been in and out of Dwane Casey’s doghouse, and while fans are quick to attack his inconsistent play, he still has untapped potential – something DeRozan lacks. In return for DeRozan, the Raptors could get back a really good player; lest we forget, DeRozan was an All-Star last season.
Some possibilities include the Orlando Magic‘s Tobias Harris, the Denver Nuggets‘ Ty Lawson or even the Portland Trail Blazers‘ LaMarcus Aldridge if the Raps throw in a few pieces.
DeRozan is a very good player, has a great work ethic and is deservedly liked by Toronto fans. But now is as good a time as any to trade him for an upgrade. Ujiri wants to build a championship contender, and offloading DeRozan might be the necessary first step in that endeavour.
Casey Sherman is a Toronto Raptors Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shermham
