Spurs Reportedly Discussing Contract Extension With DeMar DeRozan

After watching his old team successfully win an NBA championship without him, DeMar DeRozan is definitely feeling as motivated as ever.

The former long-time Toronto Raptors shooting guard was traded to the San Antonio Spurs last year in the deal that delivered Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, and evidently DeRozan performed well enough to warrant contract extension talks with R.C. Buford.

Last year, DeRozan helped the Spurs sneak into the playoffs as the seven seed, and they nearly upset the Denver Nuggets in the first round, eventually losing the series 4-3.

DeRozan himself had a solid first year for the Spurs, averaging a stat line of 21.2/6.0/6.2. However, Spurs fans were disappointed at how atrocious he was from 3-point range, as he shot a paltry 15.6%.

DeRozan's never been known to be an amazing shooter; rather, his production is hinged on how many isolation opportunities he's afforded in a game, and Gregg Popovich must feel confident enough in him to work together for the foreseeable future.

With the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Dejounte Murray returning to the Spurs this season, there's a shot that San Antonio's dominant reign continues, and they return to the playoffs, even after every other Western Conference team made significant acquisitions to bolster their rosters.

Things will be fine with Coach Pop, after all.