The Toronto Raptors don’t have the luxury of sitting around and waiting on DeMar DeRozan forever.
After DeRozan was waived by the Sacramento Kings, Toronto has been tied to the idea of bringing him back. But that possibility now sits in the middle of a much bigger domino chain, with LeBron James’ decision looming over the market and shaping what happens next for everyone else.
DeRozan is expected to be a name that comes up for any team that misses on LeBron. That puts the Raptors in a tricky spot: if they want him, they may need to show their hand early and let DeRozan’s camp know they’re serious.
There’s at least a path to a reunion. Toronto traded DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard in 2018, and a return to the city could be on the table after his exit from Sacramento. The Kings are not close to contending for a championship, while the Raptors could potentially put together a stronger situation if they bring him back.
The catch is timing. DeRozan may have other options once LeBron chooses his next team, and that could reshape the market fast.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers are the finalists for LeBron. That matters because the teams that come up short could pivot to DeRozan as a fallback target. Miami, in particular, has been connected to the former All-Star guard before.
There’s also a clear basketball overlap here. LeBron and DeRozan share a similar profile as players who can create their own shot, which makes DeRozan an appealing Plan B for teams building an offense around LeBron’s skill set. He may not be the first choice, but he fits the same kind of offensive idea at a lower price.
DeRozan also has reason to be patient. He still had one year left on his deal with the Kings, but he wanted to play for a contender next season, and he didn’t have to enter free agency to make that happen. That gives him some leverage as he sorts through what comes next.
For Toronto, the problem is simple: they can’t afford to wait too long. The Raptors have other free agents to think about, so they need clarity on DeRozan’s plans before they can make their own moves. If they want a real shot at bringing him home, they’ll have to act quickly and make him feel wanted.
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