The Toronto Raptors entered the 2014-15 season with high expectations. The tem was expected to contend in the Eastern Conference and instead saw themselves exit in the first round at the hands of the Washington Wizards. Now they must determine exactly what went wrong and what upgrades are needed to avoid the same scenario twice. Several heads are turning to the backcourt as doubt suddenly rises over Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
According to FOX Sports, the Raptors are at a crossroads with DeRozan and he could easily be placed on the trade block this offseason. Yes, DeRozan played well in the second half of the season, but is he a franchise player? That is the question Toronto must answer as the star is approaching free agency in 2017. General manager Masai Ujiri told the media that anything and everything is an option this upcoming offseason and the best move could potentially be to trade DeRozan and move on with Lowry and Terrance Ross.
According to ESPN's Mark Stein, Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas are untouchable for trades. Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansbrough, Chuck Hayes, Landry Fields and Louis Williams will all be unrestricted free agents. The roster is changing and trading DeRozan now while his stock is still high could be what gets the Raptors a star player they desperately need. The Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks could all be options to acquire the shooting guard depending on other free agency moves. DeRozan will not come cheap to any team and likely would be explored as a Plan B option.
Trading DeRozan will allow Ross to stretch his wins while freeing up a lot of space for the Raptors to work with. Lowry has star power along with Williams which could help recruit players to Toronto. LaMarcus Aldridge would be a great addition to the team as well as players like Monta Ellis or even Ty Lawson from the Denver Nuggets. If the Raptors are willing to throw in another piece or two, the team could get a solid return on DeRozan.
The Raptors fan base loves DeRozan and understandably so. He is a good player with a strong work ethic, but he is not a star and that is what Toronto needs if they are going to get past the first round of the NBA Playoffs.The team has met their match in the first round the past two seasons and in order for that to change, they have to be willing to shake things up a bit.