DeMar DeRozan driven to be quintessential Toronto Raptor

Barring something unexpected, GM Masai Ujiri will try to sign him. And barring something unexpected, DeRozan wants to stay. Whatever the benefits or drawbacks, they will figure it out later.

The Raptors' DeMar DeRozan enters the off-season as an unrestricted free agent and will command top dollar. The all-star sas he loves the Raptors and the city of Toronto and welcomes the challenge of making the team even better than it already is. Fans will see how this plays out shortly.

There may be other suitors for the 26-year-old all-star unrestricted free agent, but the Lakers are widely seen as the only real competition. The Lakers offer the purple-and-gold mystique, and the challenge of replacing his favourite player, Kobe Bryant. And, of course, he was born and raised in Compton. One day after Toronto’s six-game loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference final, DeRozan doesn’t seem too conflicted.“I grew up in L.A.,” said DeRozan, who averaged 20.9 points on .394 shooting in 20 playoff games, with low points and peaks. “That’s my home. There’s not a part of L.A. I haven’t seen. I don’t get caught up into (talk of his wanting to be a Laker). I let whoever comes up with that say what they want to say. Only thing appealing to me is the things I’ve done in this organization and the things that can be done here. And that’s always been my mindset since I’ve been here.”