DeMar DeRozan is set to be one of the premier players on the NBA free-agent market this offseason. Fresh off three consecutive seasons averaging 20-plus points per game for the San Antonio Spurs, DeRozan is poised to earn a hefty payday in what is his first time hitting the open market.
The 31-year-old remains one of the most productive scorers in the league and will likely seek employment from a contender, as he's yet to win an NBA championship. Where should the veteran spend the back end of his prime?
Here are three ideal free agent destinations for DeMar DeRozan.
3) San Antonio Spurs
The grass isn't always greener on the other side, and DeMar DeRozan could fare just fine staying put in San Antonio.
The competition in the Western Conference is as stiff as ever, making it paramount for the Spurs to make immediate progress with the bunch at hand. Youngsters Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Keldon Johnson, among others, have to continue progressing from an impact and production standpoint, which is feasible. They're all capable scorers who hold their own on the defensive end.
DeRozan has been the veteran leader and driving force for an overall young Spurs core. He could continue to steer head coach Gregg Popovich's offense as others continue to develop. Plus, he brings a great deal of playoff experience to the table, which comes in handy with a young team. Sometimes staying the course and banking on others to falter in a volatile league like the NBA pays dividends down the road.
At the same time, staying with a team that's a couple years away from being a legitimate contender may not be appealing to DeMar DeRozan. He would likely be more compelled to join an organization in the thick of contention and/or ready to make a substantial jump in the standings. DeRozan may have just a handful of highly productive seasons left in him. The ticking clock leads players to contending teams.
2) New York Knicks
The Knicks need someone who can score at a high level and be a steady ball-handler. DeMar DeRozan emphatically resolves the first problem.
Julius Randle had a great 2020-21 campaign and RJ Barrett has continually improved, but head coach Tom Thibodeau needs another player who can create his own shot. DeRozan and Randle would feed off each other. They'd inhibit defenses from solely focusing on one player, as they can each score off the dribble, hit mid-range jump shots, and create their own opportunities. The veterans would take pressure and attention off Barrett, giving him more slashing buckets and open looks from the perimeter. New York was an elite defensive team that became more efficient from the field as the year progressed. They need their offense to be more multi-dimensional next season.
A Randle- DeMar DeRozan-Barrett trio would be sturdy and take the Knicks' operation to the next level. That trio surrounded by outside snipers, Immanuel Quickley coming off the bench and a defensive-minded center (Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel) make for a team that could be a player in the Eastern Conference — as long as this season was a glimpse into the future for the Knicks.
All that in mind, why aren't the Knicks DeRozan's best landing spot? There's a team that's a bit of a better fit for his services.
1) Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant is a star, but he and the Grizzlies need another impact player to be a competitor in the West. DeMar DeRozan would be a savvy and highly impactful pickup for head coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation.
The Grizzlies are another example of a team with plausible roots but one that can only grow so large because of the powerhouses around them. DeRozan would be a steroid for their ceiling. Memphis has a well-oiled roster. They're a reputable defensive team with players capable of scoring off the dribble. Morant is an explosive finisher. Dillon Brooks is a gritty two-way player. Kyle Anderson is a smooth, all-around talent. Jonas Valanciunas is a hassle in the paint. Desmond Bane is a tenacious two-way player. When healthy, Jaren Jackson Jr. is a physical specimen.
DeMar DeRozan gives the Grizzlies a much-needed self-reliant scorer. The offense can't just be Morant creating and attracting attention. Morant and DeRozan would be a stout one-two punch. The latter can play off the ball as the number two scorer, utilizing his athleticism and post-game more frequently. All the while, he poses an isolation scoring option. These two would make Brooks, Anderson, and Bane all the more dangerous. From a production standpoint, this duo would be similar to DeRozan and Kyle Lowry in their time sharing a backcourt with the Toronto Raptors.
The Grizzlies need to make a jump next season which comes from internal improvement and a bold offseason move. DeMar DeRozan takes the Grizzlies to the next level, getting them on the same footing as their conference counterparts.
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