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NBA Free Agency Rumors: DeMar DeRozan Wants to Stay in Toronto

By Cody Williams

Dec 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends against an inbounds pass by the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends against an inbounds pass by the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Potential Lakers NBA free agency target DeMar DeRozan has indicated that he’d like to stay with the Toronto Raptors

Love him or hate him, it’s been almost assumed for several months now that the Los Angeles Lakers were going to factor heavily into the decision of DeMar DeRozan this offseason as he becomes a free agent. Given the guard’s ties to Los Angeles and the fact that the Lakers have max-contract money to dish out to a player of his talents in NBA free agency, the match seemed to be there.

However, the narrative regarding DeMar DeRozan and the Lakers is starting to shift in a noticeable way. After DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors were ousted in the Eastern Conference Finals, the dust had barely settled before the guard was being asked about his future in Toronto and his plans in NBA free agency.

When asked about it less than 24 hours after the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6, though, DeRozan made comments indicating that he’s leaning towards committing to the Raptors for the long term. The 26-year-old told reporters that his “mindset has always been Toronto” when questioned about the current situation with the Raptors, per CBS Sports. Further answers continued to insinuate that his history with Toronto would play a major factor in his decision this offseason.

DeMar DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent in July and there are going to be plenty of teams around the league with the cap-room to throw max money at the young veteran—the Lakers likely included. However, DeRozan has never made any comments edgewise that would indicate he has plans other than staying with the Raptors. Though it was an emotional time after a playoff loss, these comments again seem to echo that sentiment.

Next: Jordan Clarkson on Free Agency: I Want to Stay In LA

Especially among Lakers fans, there are strong opinions on both ends of the spectrum regarding whether Los Angeles should sign him or not if given the chance in free agency. Given the way things are shaking out right now, though, they might not be in a position to make that decision when it comes down to it.

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