<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Report: Lakers have long-standing free agency interest in DeMar DeRozan. <a href="https://t.co/HhMXA4qIMJ">https://t.co/HhMXA4qIMJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/kPDpaxGh2j">pic.twitter.com/kPDpaxGh2j</a></p>— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsNBA/status/685876265211932672">January 9, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lakers to offer DeMar DeRozan a max deal? <a href="https://t.co/Yv17wTf9iC">https://t.co/Yv17wTf9iC</a> <a href="https://t.co/hC4CcnZNS6">pic.twitter.com/hC4CcnZNS6</a></p>— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) <a href="https://twitter.com/hoopshype/status/686930614969339904">January 12, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DeMar Derozan Says He Wants to Be in Toronto His 'Whole Career' <a href="https://t.co/xVeOrz52od">https://t.co/xVeOrz52od</a> <a href="https://t.co/zMIIMzmUXN">pic.twitter.com/zMIIMzmUXN</a></p>— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLAMonline/status/686589674110885888">January 11, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
"Is ______ worth the max?" If you aren't getting a max contract in today's NBA, where it's handed out like Halloween candy, you're probably doing something wrong. Even the soon-to-be "old max" money. $13M, $14M, $15M+
In my opinion, with the way he's improved each season into a complete player, I'd give it to him. He's one of those guys that is truly dedicated to his craft. I watch some of his training on Instagram, and the guy is always trying something new. He's stepped up his defense, too. With the way the cap will be, I don't think he'll accept much lower than a max contract. It seems a little crazy though. When Shaq was winning with the Lakers, dominating every big man, he didn't make 25 millie consecutively, right? Now, some guys are going to be PAID.
I would say no, but I think he could fulfill the value of a max contract. He's only 26. It will be 4-5 years deal. So you are getting him in his prime, while he hasn't hit his ceiling, yet. $15 MM - $18MM, $20 MM would be getting close to Joe Johnson territory.
he's made it a priority to improve his ball handling within the past year or so so he's a very capable ball handler for a wing player
Yeah, I think Demar is always going to be one of those guys teetering on the edge between perennial all star and elite (kind of like Joe Johnson was). He'll definitely get a max, and is probably worth it.
YES he is, if someone is willing to pay him that. Market sets the price and Lakers are setting the market.
Is he worth the max as in market value? Yes. Is he worth the max as in actually worth the max because he is the best SG in the game? No.
If someone is having multiple teams going after him offering him the max then he deserves it. But to answer the question no I wouldn't want any of my two teams paying Demar Derozan 25 million per. And If I was the Toronto GM I would have traded him last summer.
If he gets it, then he is worth it. The market is changing rapidly but 20 million is now the same value as 14 mill in the old market, and in a couple of more seasons it could even be equal to like 12 million or whatever. But yes, I believe he will get and deserves a max contact. What is his max? Is it 20? 25? Or something in between.
Pleeeeeeease let the Lakers sign this gutless, spineless, overrated choker for the max. That would make me very happy. Hope Lowry goes with him in a trade.