The Toronto Raptors are hoping to keep potential free agent DeMar DeRozan this summer, but it might be tough with the salary cap situation the team is in. DeRozan has a player option for next season, but the guard is expected to decline that to hit free agency.
The Raptors have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season, but the main concern for the team apart from the playoffs is what will happen with DeRozan. The 26-year-old has blossomed into one of the best players in the East and if he hits free agency this summer, a number of teams will look at signing him to a contract.
Zach Lowe at ESPN reported that the Lakers will look at giving DeRozan a max deal at $25 million per season, while teams like the Knicks and Celtics also could chase the guard. DeRozan is from Los Angeles and played his college ball at USC, making a return to California a very alluring possibility. The Lakers have the cap space to make a major offer, while the Raptors situation is a bit tight heading into the summer, meaning DeRozan realistically could leave (and is likely to leave) Toronto.
The Raptors spent big last offseason while signing DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph and Bismack Biyombo deals worth over $90 million combined. The team also extended Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross in 2015, which came after signing Kyle Lowry to a deal in 2014. While all that has helped keep the Raptors core together, it also has put Toronto in a situation where they may not be able to keep DeRozan. Lowe writes that if the Raptors sign DeRozan to the max, they will "blow past" the salary cap for next season.
DeRozan is hitting the market with players like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Mike Conley, giving him a good chance to get a max deal. Durant only realistically will go to a handful of teams over the Thunder, while James is not expected to go anywhere but Cleveland. DeRozan has an opening to get a max contract and if he isn't going to get that from the Raptors, he likely will be leaving Toronto.
DeRozan may want to stay, but at this stage in his career, he has to take the max money if he can get it. The Knicks are also likely going to chase him, as the team wants to add some free agent talent to play alongside Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks have the cap space and a player to build with in Kristaps Porzingis, but that may not be enough to sway DeRozan.
The Lakers have been rebuilding and slashing cap space for multiple years to set up a run at big free agents, and this summer could be when they finally strike. The team did not do enough to sign Greg Monroe or LaMarcus Aldridge last summer, but this year with Kobe Bryant retiring, the Lakers may have a better shot at landing a star.
Los Angeles is in a solid situation to attract stars, as it has the cap space to offer major contracts and young players to build with, including Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell. DeRozan may find that appealing, and that could take him away from the Raptors this summer.
