NBA Rumors: DeMar DeRozan's future will be conditioned by LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard
It seems that the former Sacramento Kings player will have to wait for the resolution of the destiny of two of the biggest superstars of the best basketball league in the world.
The NBA lives in constant change, but there are situations that seem to repeat for DeMar DeRozan. Throughout his career, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have marked some of the most important moments in his trajectory and now both are once again influencing his future.
Between 2016 and 2018, LeBron's Cleveland Cavaliers consecutively eliminated DeRozan's Toronto Raptors in the playoffs of the Eastern Conference. James then became the major obstacle that prevented the shooting guard from reaching the NBA Finals.
Two years later, Kawhi Leonard emerged. In 2018, the Raptors decided to trade DeRozan to acquire the forward, who a year later led the Canadian franchise to its first-ever title.
Four potential destinations awaiting LeBron or Kawhi
Now, DeRozan's future is once again conditioned by both players. According to reports, the four teams showing the most mutual interest in the veteran guard are, in one way or another, waiting for either LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard to resolve their situations first.
Miami and Cleveland await LeBron's move
The delay in LeBron James deciding on his next team is also delaying DeRozan's market resolution.
Two of the franchises interested in the six-time All-Star, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, are waiting to know the decision of the four-time MVP before making their move.
According to Fred Katz, from The Athletic, Miami has LeBron as their top target, although DeRozan remains an alternative if they fail to secure the star.
"The Heat have been considering the possibility of adding DeRozan for years, according to league sources, but right now, their focus is on LeBron James. If they can't bring in a scoring forward, maybe they'll turn to the other," Katz noted.
Kawhi's situation also affects Clippers and Raptors
The other focus of uncertainty revolves around Kawhi Leonard. The planning of the Toronto Raptors is virtually stalled while the pending trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Canadian franchise is being resolved.
Both teams are waiting for the NBA's ongoing investigation into the deal to conclude before making new decisions.
The Clippers represent another potential destination for DeRozan, besides being the city where he grew up. However, their situation is identical to Toronto's, as any move related to the guard depends on the Leonard operation getting resolved first.
A possible reunion in Toronto
Among all possible scenarios, one of the most intriguing would be DeRozan's return to the Raptors coinciding with Kawhi Leonard's comeback.
If that were to happen, two very different stages of the franchise's recent history would meet again to share a locker room in the present.
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