12up Logo

4 Destinations for DeMar DeRozan if Spurs Actually Trade Him

By Jerry Trotta

With the Spurs likely not going anywhere, here are a few teams that should trade for DeMar DeRozan.
With the Spurs likely not going anywhere, here are a few teams that should trade for DeMar DeRozan. / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Among the profusion of unorthodox narratives that have grabbed headlines throughout the first quarter of the 2019-2020 NBA campaign is the fact that the San Antonio Spurs appear destined to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference.

Through 22 games, Gregg Popovich's side sits at 8-14 and it would probably behoove the Spurs' front office to consider trading off veteran stars for young assets and draft capital.

DeMar DeRozan absolutely fits that bill, so let's take a look at some potential destinations for the four-time All-Star if San Antonio were to actually consider dealing him.

4. Orlando Magic

Markelle Fultz and DeRozan could form a nice backcourt partnership in Orlando
Markelle Fultz and DeRozan could form a nice backcourt partnership in Orlando / Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

The Magic have been desperate for a star winger for quite some time, and DeRozan would fit seamlessly into a backcourt that features a rejuvenated Markelle Fultz. Orlando might have to cough up an Aaron Gordon or Mo Bamba, but a trio of DeRozan, Fultz, and Nikola Vucevic would be a core good enough to make the playoffs in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.

3. Detroit Pistons

The Blake Griffin experiment simply isn't working out the way Pistons fans had hoped.
The Blake Griffin experiment simply isn't working out the way Pistons fans had hoped. / Rick Osentoski/Getty Images

Call us crazy, but something tells us that Popovich would drool over having LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin in his frontcourt. This could be a straight swap or it could morph into a blockbuster deal. Keep in mind that DeRozan would be united with Dwane Casey, who coached him in Toronto for seven seasons. Who says no?

2. Dallas Mavericks

Luke Doncic might need more help in Dallas than we originally thought.
Luke Doncic might need more help in Dallas than we originally thought. / Tim Warner/Getty Images

Don't let Kristaps Porzingis' stats fool you, folks, Luka Doncic has been doing damage in Dallas virtually all by himself thus far. It remains to be seen if the 20-year-old Serbian sensation can keep up his torrid pace for an 82-game season, including playoffs, assuming the Mavericks make it. With Tim Haradaway Jr. proving to be the same headache he was with the Knicks, Dallas could look to pair him and future picks for a viable secondary option in the backcourt. DeRozan's playoff experience could be crucial to the likes of Doncic and Porzingis, both of whom have yet to taste postseason basketball.

1. Indiana Pacers

DeRozan's scoring prowess could propel the Pacers from pretenders to contenders.
DeRozan's scoring prowess could propel the Pacers from pretenders to contenders. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Can we all just think about the potential of a Malcolm Brodgon-DeRozan backcourt? Pairing Domantas Sabonis and Jeremy Lamb or Aaron Holiday with a first- or second-round draft pick could be enough to get a deal done. If the Pacers want to be tabbed true contenders in the East, they need to make a deal for an ELITE and established scorer like DeRozan.