The Toronto Raptors are facing elimination after not having an answer for the Cavaliers in Game 2, and that raises a lot of questions about DeMar DeRozan
The Cleveland Cavaliers delivered another blow to the Toronto Raptors by dismantling them in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Once again, it was a rough game for Kyle Lowry who was held to 10 points on the night.
With one All-Star struggling in the playoffs, the big question revolving around the team is the future of DeMar DeRozan.
After struggling in Game 1, DeRozan found redemption with a 22 point performance in Game 2 but it was not enough stop the Cavaliers.
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For the Raptors, there just doesn’t seem to be an answer for the multitude of weapons that Cleveland brings. Now down 0-2, the team looks as if it’s been pushed to the breaking point after having already survived two Game 7s to reach the Conference Finals.
The question now being raised is whether the team’s Cinderella season is enough to keep All-Star DeRozan in Toronto.
As a free agent this summer, DeRozan has played the last several seasons with Toronto in the Eastern Conference and is set to court several offers from across the NBA.
The most notable name in the market for the guard is the Los Angeles Lakers, whom after getting the second pick in the draft would look to build a young squad with DeRozan as the centerpiece.
Despite being in the tougher Western Conference, the option of a big payday in a city like Los Angeles could be enough to lure DeRozan away from his familiar home in Canada.
Of course, there is the second question of exactly how valuable DeRozan is after getting the most playoff exposure than he has in his entire career.
One of the main criticisms of both DeRozan and Lowry has been their inconsistent performances throughout the playoffs, a fact that could no be dropping his stock on the free agent market.
If a team is looking to make DeRozan the future, has he shown that he is a franchise player?
The fact that most of his help came from the bench in Game 2 is not the most re-assuring sign that the Raptors are the ones who can build the championship contender to challenge the Cavaliers.
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But after a Conference Finals appearance, would being the star of the Lakers be a step up? If a max contract offer does materialize for DeRozan than it is hard to see him not taking the offer.
Is he the star that any team needs him to be, though? He has at least two games to prove that he is.