Teams should think twice before trading for DeMar DeRozan.
Many believe that the San Antonio Spurs will be sellers at the NBA Trade Deadline and one of the pieces that will be a top candidate to be moved that keeps being mentioned is DeMar DeRozan. Basically, any team that needs a jolt to make themselves a contender has been linked to DeRozan in some form.
Many would assume DeRozan is an attractive piece, he is a 20 point per game scorer, averaging over seven assists per game this season. He’s an expiring contract after this season and there’s no guarantee that he’ll re-sign with the Spurs.
The problem is that DeMar Derozan is not worth the cost to bring him aboard. His game is a relic straight from the 90s, he exclusively shoots from inside the 3-point line. Making it hard to utilize him in late-game situations.
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The Spurs closed their first-half schedule by losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the team struggled mightily late in the game. More specifically, the team was hindered by their No. 1 scoring option, DeRozan, not being able to hit the 3 or defend.
When you think of an elite or All-Star player in the NBA, you think of a player who can hit a shot from anywhere. From Stephen Curry to even big guys such as Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, they can make shots from inside and outside the arc.
DeRozan does not have the ability to do that, but many would argue he would not be the primary option on the team. This would be true, but DeRozan is a turn-style on defense, only having two seasons where he did not have a negative DPM on defense.
By simply swapping DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors were finally able to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference and win the NBA Championship entirely. Kawhi is a better overall player than DeRozan, in large part because he can hit the 3 and is an excellent defender.
DeRozan would not be a primary option for any team that acquires him. Though, you still have to look at what you might give up to add DeRozan. If you were the Boston Celtics, is it worth giving up a young player and a pick, to basically rent a player who can’t guard in late-game situations?
The main issue with trading for DeMar DeRozan is matching his salary unless you are handing the Spurs spare parts, which they probably wouldn’t want. Why would you give up a cheaper younger player for him, is it worth it to add him to your team vying for a Finals spot?
Does he push the needle? Because many of the teams on that will make the NBA Finals have multiple players who can create their own shot. So offense might not be the problem, and DeRozan can’t play defense so he is a liability on that front.
This is why 3-and-D players are so valuable at the deadline. They are usually affordable or sometimes even bought out. Teams can plug them into their shortened benches to pair with either the starters or the bench.
When you add DeMar DeRozan to your team you are not adding a role player, you are adding a player who has had an influence on how his teams have run. If your team brings in DeRozan will that make you say “We are going to The Finals?” Or will you say “we mortgaged our future for a flawed player.”