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DeMar DeRozan is the best remaining player available in free agency, out of those expected to change teams. It's also a fairly wide margin between DeRozan and the next players on the list.

As of now, despite cap space drying up around the NBA, DeRozan isn't lowering his salary demands.

"For the teams that might be calling or gauging interest in DeMar taking a full mid-level exception, which is around $13 million, I am told that is not even being considered right now," Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reported.

Only the Utah Jazz ($37.7 million) and the Detroit Pistons ($26.5 million) have significant cap space remaining. Neither are really a fit for DeRozan. That could have the veteran wing looking more at the sign-and-trade market, as opposed to signing with a team outright.

Via Chris Haynes/Bleacher Report

He can’t shoot or defend and he’s old how is he worth more than the MLE?

Well then he’ll have to settle for less the longer he stays in the free agent market. He and his agent are dumb. They didn’t accept the guaranteed $80 million because he wanted to win. Now he’ll play for a team as bad as the Pistons if they pay him one year $15 million.

arbsn wrote:He can’t shoot or defend and he’s old how is he worth more than the MLE?

PG13 and Demar are both 34 years old...

PG13 just signed a 4/212 contract
22.6ppg
5.2 rpg
3.5 apg
47% FG


Demar
24 PPG
4.3 rpg
5.3 apg
48% FG

Demar has played more games then PG13 over the last 5 years. May not get the max like PG13 but MLE is a slap in the face.

Might have to take his azz to China if he wants big bucks.

nigo242 wrote:

arbsn wrote:He can’t shoot or defend and he’s old how is he worth more than the MLE?

PG13 and Demar are both 34 years old...

PG13 just signed a 4/212 contract
22.6ppg
5.2 rpg
3.5 apg
47% FG


Demar
24 PPG
4.3 rpg
5.3 apg
48% FG

Demar has played more games then PG13 over the last 5 years. May not get the max like PG13 but MLE is a slap in the face.

You missing a key stat..
PG
3PT% 41%
DD
3PT% 33%

I like Demar but he doesn't open up the floor like PG nor is a better wing. PG is taller, longer and better defensive player.

elmdawgg69 wrote:Well then he’ll have to settle for less the longer he stays in the free agent market. He and his agent are dumb. They didn’t accept the guaranteed $80 million because he wanted to win. Now he’ll play for a team as bad as the Pistons if they pay him one year $15 million.

I just cant believe he turned down 2 years for 80 million. Thats crazy

He’s going to be viewed as a 6th man sooner rather than later. He should sign a 1+1 deal for $35 million ($18M/$17M player option) with Detroit. The Pistons can look to trade him come early 2025 to a contender.

Only delusional Laker fans would ever think a guy like Demar would sign for their MLE. He averaged 24 on almost 50 % shooting from the field, that's not a MLE player despite his inability to shoot three's well or below average defense. He's still a good play maker and a bucket from the mid range, he can definitely get a contract bigger than that.

dubbmotta wrote:

nigo242 wrote:

arbsn wrote:He can’t shoot or defend and he’s old how is he worth more than the MLE?

PG13 and Demar are both 34 years old...

PG13 just signed a 4/212 contract
22.6ppg
5.2 rpg
3.5 apg
47% FG


Demar
24 PPG
4.3 rpg
5.3 apg
48% FG

Demar has played more games then PG13 over the last 5 years. May not get the max like PG13 but MLE is a slap in the face.

You missing a key stat..
PG
3PT% 41%
DD
3PT% 33%

I like Demar but he doesn't open up the floor like PG nor is a better wing. PG is taller, longer and better defensive player.

Also DDR is a weak defender and plays a ball-stopping type of basketball. He can sometimes get brushed aside or underrated but he's not seen as an elite wing for good reason.

HotelVitale wrote:

dubbmotta wrote:

nigo242 wrote:
PG13 and Demar are both 34 years old...

PG13 just signed a 4/212 contract
22.6ppg
5.2 rpg
3.5 apg
47% FG


Demar
24 PPG
4.3 rpg
5.3 apg
48% FG

Demar has played more games then PG13 over the last 5 years. May not get the max like PG13 but MLE is a slap in the face.

You missing a key stat..
PG
3PT% 41%
DD
3PT% 33%

I like Demar but he doesn't open up the floor like PG nor is a better wing. PG is taller, longer and better defensive player.

Also DDR is a weak defender and plays a ball-stopping type of basketball. He can sometimes get brushed aside or underrated but he's not seen as an elite wing for good reason.

I'm not arguing that he deserves PG contract numbers. I'm making the statement that he's not MLE level and that would be a slap in the face based on the a previous post.

dubbmotta wrote:

nigo242 wrote:

arbsn wrote:He can’t shoot or defend and he’s old how is he worth more than the MLE?

PG13 and Demar are both 34 years old...

PG13 just signed a 4/212 contract
22.6ppg
5.2 rpg
3.5 apg
47% FG


Demar
24 PPG
4.3 rpg
5.3 apg
48% FG

Demar has played more games then PG13 over the last 5 years. May not get the max like PG13 but MLE is a slap in the face.

You missing a key stat..
PG
3PT% 41%
DD
3PT% 33%

I like Demar but he doesn't open up the floor like PG nor is a better wing. PG is taller, longer and better defensive player.

I don’t think they or anyone is claiming otherwise. They’re pointing out the massive gap between a full max and the MLE is a bit crazy. Especially considering DeMar has played in 95 more games than PG the past 5 years and hasn’t needed to load manage to do so. All those abilities aren’t worth much if they’re not actually available.

elmdawgg69 wrote:Well then he’ll have to settle for less the longer he stays in the free agent market. He and his agent are dumb. They didn’t accept the guaranteed $80 million because he wanted to win. Now he’ll play for a team as bad as the Pistons if they pay him one year $15 million.

Pistons are young. There not bad. Derozan could actually help them get into the playoffs. Plus they can always trade for one more vet since they have like 3 guards who need playing time. Tobias Harris is a vet who could use more help from derozan and a added player. You keep cade, duren, and one of Thompson and Jaden ivy. Holland and another young player attached to a first can get you nice player. Idk if the Pistons are willing to go that route but they'd get into the playoffs and still keep majority of there youth.

Is he really going to go the Sprewell route??

arbsn wrote:He can’t shoot or defend and he’s old how is he worth more than the MLE?

I agree, but I don't blame him for waiting on the market to yield something better. He can get the MLE from somebody in August, it might not be a good team or a team he wants, but someone will hold onto the taxpayer MLE just in case he's available.

Ultimately, I'll bet he takes a giant 1yr deal from Utah, and tests free agency again next summer. I don't think it'll be better results than this summer, though.