The 2021 NBA free agency is off to an electric start, with several teams making big moves to position themselves for a successful 2021-22 season. The majority of the big-name free agents are already off the board, with some of them making surprising and unexpected decisions. Let’s check out the biggest deals and moves.

DeMar DeRozan Joins the Bulls

After spending the previous three seasons with San Antonio Spurs, four-time All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan is off to a new challenge. DeRozan is joining the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal that will see him earn $85 million in the next three years. For their role in the deal, the Spurs gained Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, one first-round pick, and two second-rounders.

DeRozan finished the season averaging 21.6 points, 4.2 boards, and career-high 6.9 assists per game. The 32-year-old guard is expected to lead a revamped Bulls team that also signed guard Lonzo Ball on a four-year, $85 million deal and guard Alex Caruso on a four-year, $37 million contract.

Chris Paul Re-Signs With the Suns

After leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2020-21, Chris Paul decided to run it back with the franchise by inking a new four-year, $120 million contract. Paul, who earned All-Star and All-NBA nods last season, previously declined his $44 million option for 2021-22.

Suns previously also picked up Landry Shamet from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade that saw them give up Jevon Carter and the No. 29 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Kyle Lowry Headed to Miami

The Miami Heat made a big addition to their roster as well, signing All-Star guard Kyle Lowry to a three-year, $90 million contract. Lowry joins from the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal that will see the Heat sending Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in exchange.

Lowry was courted by multiple NBA teams in the free agency but was interested only in the Heat as he wanted to play with Miami’s All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.

Miami made several other moves in the first days of free agency, agreeing to a five year, $90 million extension with sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, and resigning Victor Oladipo.

Lakers Get Carmelo Anthony, Add Several Others

The blockbuster trade for superstar Russell Westbrook left the Lakers with only five players under contract. Still, general manager Rob Pelinka quickly filled out the roster with veterans and young players through free agency.

The biggest news is definitely the addition of Carmelo Anthony, who signed on a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. After being almost out of the league in 2019, Melo bounced back with two successful seasons in Portland and will now have a chance to compete for an NBA Championship with one of his best friends in LeBron James.

Lakers also added veterans Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, and Kent Bazemore while signing pair of young and prospective players in Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk. They also re-signed restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker.

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San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan is the latest big name that is being connected with reigning NBA champs Los Angeles Lakers. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Lakers are interested in trading for DeRozan and would be willing to offer Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green in exchange.  

It is unclear whether the Spurs would be interested in making such a trade as it would immediately make them weaker in an already packed Western Conference. Kuzma and Green are fine players, but they don’t offer the same impact on the game as DeRozan.

On the other hand, DeRozan will be out of contract after this season, so it might be the last chance for the Spurs to get something valuable in return for him. They also might be tempted by the prospect of having Kuzma, who showed flashes of big talent in the past and might blossom with a change of scenery.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, getting DeRozan is a no-doubter. He is a four-time All-Star and a player who can take over the game with his scoring any given night. The 31-year-old player is coming from one of his most productive seasons, having averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

However, the Lakers should be concerned about DeMar DeRozan’s fit with their current roster. One of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses is the three-point shooting, and DeRozan is famous for avoiding shooting three-pointers. Also, the Lakers are building a brand as a defensive juggernaut, and DeRozan is almost equally famous for not playing defense.

It now remains to be seen whether the good outweighs the bad for the Lakers and how committed they are to staking their future for another title run.  

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It’s an extension or free agency for San Antonio Spurs’ guard DeMar DeRozan. According to Yahoo Sports, DeRozan will decline his player option and become a free agent if he doesn’t agree to an extension with the Spurs by June.

DeRozan has one year left on his old deal, which pays him $27.7 million. But thanks to an opt-out clause, the 30-year-old can become a free agent and likely command a bigger number on the free market.

This might be a wise decision, considering that this summer won’t be so star-studded like 2019’s free agency. If he enters the free-agent market, DeRozan could easily be one of the biggest names available and in line for a maximum contract. Some of the teams that have shown early interest are New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.

DeMar DeRozan has been playing very well this season, despite the fact that San Antonio Spurs seem like they won’t be able to catch the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. DeRozan is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a career-high 52.6 percent from the field.

DeRozan joined San Antonio in the summer of 2018 as part of a blockbuster trade that helped Toronto Raptors land Kawhi Leonard. He previously spent the previous nine seasons with the Raptors, who took him ninth overall in 2009.

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DeMar DeRozan’s time with San Antonio Spurs might be coming to an end. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Conner, Spurs are considering trading DeRozan if he doesn’t sign an extension before the trade deadline with Orlando Magic emerging as a possible partner.

DeRozan can become a free agent next summer if he declines a $27.7 million player option, which he is expected to do if he doesn’t sign a long term deal with San Antonio. This isn’t a likely option at the moment, as The Athletic’s Sam Amick recently reported that the two sides were far away in terms during the negotiations in the offseason.

Spurs will not risk losing DeRozan on the free market, so they will make him available before the All-Star weekend. If that happens, Magic will make an offer according to multiple sources close to the organization. Orlando is reportedly looking to get more scoring and see the 30-year-old as a viable option.

DeRozan hasn’t opened the season in great fashion, as he is averaging 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. This is a notable drop from the previous season when he had 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.

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San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan was ejected from Game 4 against Denver Nuggets on Saturday night for throwing a ball towards referee Scott Foster but that wasn’t the end of it. DeRozan will also have to pay a $25,000 fine for this behavior, NBA has announced on Monday.

The incident took place midway through the fourth quarter of Spurs’ 117-103 loss to Nuggets when Foster called DeRozan for a charge. The player then threw a ball towards the official, before being handed two quick technical and being ejected from the game.

After the game, DeRozan said that his actions were contributed by the way the game was going for San Antonio but also by what he thought was a bad call.

“Frustration,” – said DeRozan, who finished the game with 19 points, five assists and five rebounds, of his actions. “I thought it was a bad call.”

The series between the Spurs and Nuggets, which is now tied 2-2, is moving back to Denver for Game 5 that will take place on Tuesday.

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Toronto Raptors decided to part ways with their franchise star DeMar DeRozan recently, sending him to San Antonio Spurs as part of the trade for Kawhi Leonard. DeRozan, who apparently thought he will retire as a Raptor, was shocked by this decision primarily because he was promised just a few weeks ago that he won’t be traded. Or maybe not?

According to Raptors president Masai Ujiri, DeRozan thinking he is off-limits in trade talks was a result of miscommunication.

“I had a conversation with DeMar at summer league, and I really want to leave it at that,” – said Ujiri on Friday. “We spoke … I think maybe my mistake was talking about what we expected going forward from him. So, not necessarily talking about a trade but what I expect from him going forward, and I think that’s where the gap was.”

“In my job, I always have to assume we’re going forward with the team that I have. If there was a miscommunication there, I do apologize to DeMar and his family and his representation. It’s not what I meant.” – he added.

No one around the league expected the Raptors to trade DeMar DeRozan, especially since he was considered the cornerstone of the franchise. He was also one of the rare All-Stars that loved playing in Canada and didn’t leave at the first chance they got. Unlike DeRozan, former Raptors star players like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh all choose to leave Toronto at their prime.

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And just when you thought NBA drama is over for this summer, Kawhi Leonard somehow ends up in Canada.

NBA insiders are reporting that Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs have agreed on a trade that would send Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected 2019 first-round pick. The first round pick is protected from 1-20 and will convert to two second-round pick if not conveyed.

With this trade, ends the saga about Kawhi Leonard’s future, who asked for a trade from the Spurs at the beginning of the offseason. Leonard and the Spurs organization have been on bad terms since January when the 27-year-old wanted to seek another opinion on his quadriceps tendinopathy although he was cleared to play by the team’s doctors. This caused lots of miscommunication and disagreement between the two sides, and Leonard eventually decided he doesn’t want to play in San Antonio and asked to be traded to one of Los Angeles teams, Lakers or Clippers.

Although Kawhi Leonard to Raptors comes as a surprise for the casual NBA fans, since Toronto wasn’t mentioned as the potential destination, the team has been working on a trade with the Spurs for two weeks. The trade had several other variations and almost fell through before becoming finalized in on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/b5NxE0Q4YY

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 18, 2018

pic.twitter.com/8ILuDeZdvQ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 18, 2018

Raptors will hope that they can repeat what Oklahoma City Thunder did with Paul George, and convince Leonard to resign with them despite his clear wish to be in Los Angeles. They can offer him five-year, $190 million contract in the summer while other teams can sign him on a four-year, $141 million deal.

Spurs, on the other side, get a 23+ points-a-game-player who is still under contract for three seasons in DeRozan, and a valuable rotation piece in Poeltl.

Thank you for everything, DeMar pic.twitter.com/nMkhAeH1He

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 18, 2018

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Although the NBA’s regular season still isn’t over, Toronto Raptors star guard DeMar DeRozan already has his MVP favorite. According to DeRozan, Houston Rockets’ James Harden should get the honors and is “lock” to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award.

“He earned it,” – said DeRozan after Friday’s shootaround before Raptors vs. Rockets game. “The things that he’s been doing all year are incredible. I think he’s a lock for it. He deserves it.“

Besides DeMar DeRozan, numerous other NBA players and basketball analysts think Harden should finally get the award. He was in the running for MVP in the previous two seasons but failed short to Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook. This year, however, it doesn’t look it will be even close. James Harden is averaging a career-high 30.9 points per game leading the league, adding 8.9 assists (third in NBA). Also, his Rockets have the league’s best record with 51-13 and are currently on a 17-game winning streak heading into the game against the Raptors.

Hearing about DeRozan’s comments, Harden didn’t comment his MVP case but went on to praise his success with the Raptors.

“That’s like my brother,” – said Harden. “He’s playing at an all-time level, too. He’s out there killing. He has his team in the No. 1 seed in the East. He’s doing extremely great things, as well. Just to hear it from him, especially with the level he’s playing at now, means a lot to me.“

DeMar DeRozan is currently averaging 24.0 points and 5.2 assists per game, leading his Toronto Raptors to 47-17 record and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

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The 2021 NBA free agency is off to an electric start, with several teams making big moves to position themselves for a successful 2021-22 season. The majority of the big-name free agents are already off the board, with some of them making surprising and unexpected decisions. Let’s check out the biggest deals and moves.

DeMar DeRozan Joins the Bulls

After spending the previous three seasons with San Antonio Spurs, four-time All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan is off to a new challenge. DeRozan is joining the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal that will see him earn $85 million in the next three years. For their role in the deal, the Spurs gained Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, one first-round pick, and two second-rounders.

DeRozan finished the season averaging 21.6 points, 4.2 boards, and career-high 6.9 assists per game. The 32-year-old guard is expected to lead a revamped Bulls team that also signed guard Lonzo Ball on a four-year, $85 million deal and guard Alex Caruso on a four-year, $37 million contract.

Chris Paul Re-Signs With the Suns

After leading the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 2020-21, Chris Paul decided to run it back with the franchise by inking a new four-year, $120 million contract. Paul, who earned All-Star and All-NBA nods last season, previously declined his $44 million option for 2021-22.

Suns previously also picked up Landry Shamet from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade that saw them give up Jevon Carter and the No. 29 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Kyle Lowry Headed to Miami

The Miami Heat made a big addition to their roster as well, signing All-Star guard Kyle Lowry to a three-year, $90 million contract. Lowry joins from the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal that will see the Heat sending Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in exchange.

Lowry was courted by multiple NBA teams in the free agency but was interested only in the Heat as he wanted to play with Miami’s All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.

Miami made several other moves in the first days of free agency, agreeing to a five year, $90 million extension with sharpshooter Duncan Robinson, and resigning Victor Oladipo.

Lakers Get Carmelo Anthony, Add Several Others

The blockbuster trade for superstar Russell Westbrook left the Lakers with only five players under contract. Still, general manager Rob Pelinka quickly filled out the roster with veterans and young players through free agency.

The biggest news is definitely the addition of Carmelo Anthony, who signed on a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. After being almost out of the league in 2019, Melo bounced back with two successful seasons in Portland and will now have a chance to compete for an NBA Championship with one of his best friends in LeBron James.

Lakers also added veterans Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, and Kent Bazemore while signing pair of young and prospective players in Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk. They also re-signed restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker.

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San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan is the latest big name that is being connected with reigning NBA champs Los Angeles Lakers. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Lakers are interested in trading for DeRozan and would be willing to offer Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green in exchange.  

It is unclear whether the Spurs would be interested in making such a trade as it would immediately make them weaker in an already packed Western Conference. Kuzma and Green are fine players, but they don’t offer the same impact on the game as DeRozan.

On the other hand, DeRozan will be out of contract after this season, so it might be the last chance for the Spurs to get something valuable in return for him. They also might be tempted by the prospect of having Kuzma, who showed flashes of big talent in the past and might blossom with a change of scenery.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, getting DeRozan is a no-doubter. He is a four-time All-Star and a player who can take over the game with his scoring any given night. The 31-year-old player is coming from one of his most productive seasons, having averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

However, the Lakers should be concerned about DeMar DeRozan’s fit with their current roster. One of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses is the three-point shooting, and DeRozan is famous for avoiding shooting three-pointers. Also, the Lakers are building a brand as a defensive juggernaut, and DeRozan is almost equally famous for not playing defense.

It now remains to be seen whether the good outweighs the bad for the Lakers and how committed they are to staking their future for another title run.  

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It’s an extension or free agency for San Antonio Spurs’ guard DeMar DeRozan. According to Yahoo Sports, DeRozan will decline his player option and become a free agent if he doesn’t agree to an extension with the Spurs by June.

DeRozan has one year left on his old deal, which pays him $27.7 million. But thanks to an opt-out clause, the 30-year-old can become a free agent and likely command a bigger number on the free market.

This might be a wise decision, considering that this summer won’t be so star-studded like 2019’s free agency. If he enters the free-agent market, DeRozan could easily be one of the biggest names available and in line for a maximum contract. Some of the teams that have shown early interest are New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.

DeMar DeRozan has been playing very well this season, despite the fact that San Antonio Spurs seem like they won’t be able to catch the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. DeRozan is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a career-high 52.6 percent from the field.

DeRozan joined San Antonio in the summer of 2018 as part of a blockbuster trade that helped Toronto Raptors land Kawhi Leonard. He previously spent the previous nine seasons with the Raptors, who took him ninth overall in 2009.

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DeMar DeRozan’s time with San Antonio Spurs might be coming to an end. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Conner, Spurs are considering trading DeRozan if he doesn’t sign an extension before the trade deadline with Orlando Magic emerging as a possible partner.

DeRozan can become a free agent next summer if he declines a $27.7 million player option, which he is expected to do if he doesn’t sign a long term deal with San Antonio. This isn’t a likely option at the moment, as The Athletic’s Sam Amick recently reported that the two sides were far away in terms during the negotiations in the offseason.

Spurs will not risk losing DeRozan on the free market, so they will make him available before the All-Star weekend. If that happens, Magic will make an offer according to multiple sources close to the organization. Orlando is reportedly looking to get more scoring and see the 30-year-old as a viable option.

DeRozan hasn’t opened the season in great fashion, as he is averaging 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. This is a notable drop from the previous season when he had 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.

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San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan was ejected from Game 4 against Denver Nuggets on Saturday night for throwing a ball towards referee Scott Foster but that wasn’t the end of it. DeRozan will also have to pay a $25,000 fine for this behavior, NBA has announced on Monday.

The incident took place midway through the fourth quarter of Spurs’ 117-103 loss to Nuggets when Foster called DeRozan for a charge. The player then threw a ball towards the official, before being handed two quick technical and being ejected from the game.

After the game, DeRozan said that his actions were contributed by the way the game was going for San Antonio but also by what he thought was a bad call.

“Frustration,” – said DeRozan, who finished the game with 19 points, five assists and five rebounds, of his actions. “I thought it was a bad call.”

The series between the Spurs and Nuggets, which is now tied 2-2, is moving back to Denver for Game 5 that will take place on Tuesday.

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Toronto Raptors decided to part ways with their franchise star DeMar DeRozan recently, sending him to San Antonio Spurs as part of the trade for Kawhi Leonard. DeRozan, who apparently thought he will retire as a Raptor, was shocked by this decision primarily because he was promised just a few weeks ago that he won’t be traded. Or maybe not?

According to Raptors president Masai Ujiri, DeRozan thinking he is off-limits in trade talks was a result of miscommunication.

“I had a conversation with DeMar at summer league, and I really want to leave it at that,” – said Ujiri on Friday. “We spoke … I think maybe my mistake was talking about what we expected going forward from him. So, not necessarily talking about a trade but what I expect from him going forward, and I think that’s where the gap was.”

“In my job, I always have to assume we’re going forward with the team that I have. If there was a miscommunication there, I do apologize to DeMar and his family and his representation. It’s not what I meant.” – he added.

No one around the league expected the Raptors to trade DeMar DeRozan, especially since he was considered the cornerstone of the franchise. He was also one of the rare All-Stars that loved playing in Canada and didn’t leave at the first chance they got. Unlike DeRozan, former Raptors star players like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Chris Bosh all choose to leave Toronto at their prime.

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And just when you thought NBA drama is over for this summer, Kawhi Leonard somehow ends up in Canada.

NBA insiders are reporting that Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs have agreed on a trade that would send Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected 2019 first-round pick. The first round pick is protected from 1-20 and will convert to two second-round pick if not conveyed.

With this trade, ends the saga about Kawhi Leonard’s future, who asked for a trade from the Spurs at the beginning of the offseason. Leonard and the Spurs organization have been on bad terms since January when the 27-year-old wanted to seek another opinion on his quadriceps tendinopathy although he was cleared to play by the team’s doctors. This caused lots of miscommunication and disagreement between the two sides, and Leonard eventually decided he doesn’t want to play in San Antonio and asked to be traded to one of Los Angeles teams, Lakers or Clippers.

Although Kawhi Leonard to Raptors comes as a surprise for the casual NBA fans, since Toronto wasn’t mentioned as the potential destination, the team has been working on a trade with the Spurs for two weeks. The trade had several other variations and almost fell through before becoming finalized in on Wednesday.

pic.twitter.com/b5NxE0Q4YY

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 18, 2018

pic.twitter.com/8ILuDeZdvQ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 18, 2018

Raptors will hope that they can repeat what Oklahoma City Thunder did with Paul George, and convince Leonard to resign with them despite his clear wish to be in Los Angeles. They can offer him five-year, $190 million contract in the summer while other teams can sign him on a four-year, $141 million deal.

Spurs, on the other side, get a 23+ points-a-game-player who is still under contract for three seasons in DeRozan, and a valuable rotation piece in Poeltl.

Thank you for everything, DeMar pic.twitter.com/nMkhAeH1He

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 18, 2018

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Although the NBA’s regular season still isn’t over, Toronto Raptors star guard DeMar DeRozan already has his MVP favorite. According to DeRozan, Houston Rockets’ James Harden should get the honors and is “lock” to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award.

“He earned it,” – said DeRozan after Friday’s shootaround before Raptors vs. Rockets game. “The things that he’s been doing all year are incredible. I think he’s a lock for it. He deserves it.“

Besides DeMar DeRozan, numerous other NBA players and basketball analysts think Harden should finally get the award. He was in the running for MVP in the previous two seasons but failed short to Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook. This year, however, it doesn’t look it will be even close. James Harden is averaging a career-high 30.9 points per game leading the league, adding 8.9 assists (third in NBA). Also, his Rockets have the league’s best record with 51-13 and are currently on a 17-game winning streak heading into the game against the Raptors.

Hearing about DeRozan’s comments, Harden didn’t comment his MVP case but went on to praise his success with the Raptors.

“That’s like my brother,” – said Harden. “He’s playing at an all-time level, too. He’s out there killing. He has his team in the No. 1 seed in the East. He’s doing extremely great things, as well. Just to hear it from him, especially with the level he’s playing at now, means a lot to me.“

DeMar DeRozan is currently averaging 24.0 points and 5.2 assists per game, leading his Toronto Raptors to 47-17 record and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

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