DeMar DeRozan – San Antonio Spurs
DeMar DeRozan is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season
Ever since last offseason, there has been a ton of discussion about DeMar DeRozan and what the future holds for him. This season, DeRozan is in the final year of his $27.7M contract and is expected to receive numerous offers in free agency.
Out of all the free agents that will be available this summer, DeMar DeRozan is likely at the top of the list for potential targets for the Knicks because of how well he would fit into their system. Not only could he continue to be the star player he is on the wing, but DeRozan’s underrated abilities to be a one-on-one defender make him extremely valuable to the Knicks.
New York has been known to be one of the toughest defensive teams in the league this year and with the addition of DeMar DeRozan, they can not only continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the league, but they will get a much needed boost from his offensive production.
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Since joining the Spurs ahead of the 2018-19 season, DeMar DeRozan has averaged 21.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists and has shot 50.1% from the floor. While he has been snubbed from the All-Star game over the years, DeRozan is still very much an All-Star caliber talent and could immediately help elevate the Knicks from being a playoff contender, to being a real threat in the Eastern Conference.
I do not necessarily want to call them championship contenders with the addition of DeRozan, but if they are able to sign him in the offseason, they would be just one piece away from being able to challenge the likes of the 76ers, Nets and Bucks for the top spot in the East.