San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan will be one of the hottest commodities available in free agency. In one of the best seasons of his career, DeRozan led the Spurs with 21.6 points and 6.9 assists per game on 49.5 percent shooting from the field.

However, signs are pointing toward the exit door in San Antonio. DeRozan seems unlikely to return to the Spurs following his recent comments in an interview with FOX Sports' Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay Shay podcast.

The 31-year-old guard was asked about his immediate future and his impending free agency. His response:

“It's all about winning at this point. Going into my 13th season and seeing all these guys just competing for a championship. At this point, you got to weigh out the opportunity to winning a championship kind of more. Especially with the career I've had. I've been fortunate to make a lot of money, but at this point, the ultimate goal is to compete for a championship.”

DeMar DeRozan has made nearly $185 million throughout his career, per Spotrac. That's a lot of money, so it will not be surprising for him to take some sort of pay cut to achieve his ultimate goal.

The Spurs just missed the playoffs twice in consecutive seasons, and there have been multiple rumors about DeRozan wanting a fresh start elsewhere. DeRozan wants to compete at the highest level.

The Los Angeles Lakers had reportedly been interested in trading for DeMar DeRozan last year. Before acquiring Dennis Schroder, there had been talks that Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma could get shipped to San Antonio in exchange for DeRozan.

DeRozan was not shy to comment on these rumors:

“So to be wanted by a championship team that just came off a championship, to see that, how could you not feel some type of way? Especially me, being from L.A., it’s like ‘damn, my hometown team want me? They just came off a championship and they want me?’ It’s definitely crazy to be able to see that, but anybody knows that whatever jersey I got on, I’m gonna lay it out there on the line and represent in the best way I can.”

One year later, DeRozan is now an unrestricted free agent and is interested in joining the Lakers, though he would likely have to take a discount to do so.

Will we see DeMar DeRozan team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers next season? There will be other suitors (New York Knicks?), and perhaps the Spurs do try to keep him, so stay tuned.