This Heat-Spurs Trade Involving DeMar DeRozan Could Actually Work
By Michael Luciano
The San Antonio Spurs, for the first time in almost 25 years, appear destined for a rebuild, and the potential trade of DeMar DeRozan could help facilitate that goal. With the Miami Heat reportedly interested in his services, a DeRozan deal appears closer to going down now than it ever has.
So let's dive into all the details.
DeMar DeRozan Contract
DeRozan signed a five-year, $137 million contact with the Toronto Raptors in 2016, and he has two years left on his deal. He will be paid $27.74 million for this year and next year before becoming a free agent at the age of 32.
DeMar DeRozan Trade Package
The Heat don't have tons of assets to give away if they want to keep their young core of Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn intact. However, they won't need to give up the farm for DeRozan. Former first-round pick Justise Winslow, currently banged up, could be on his way to the Alamo.
Throw in a draft pick, a veteran guard like Goran Dragic, who has an expiring contract, to come off the bench in addition to a 3-point deadeye like Duncan Robinson to fill the role vacated by Davis Bertans, and you have yourself a deal for the former Raptors legend. Those three contracts will help offset DeRozan's money and the Spurs would get some assets and an $18 million expiring deal. Perhaps the Spurs throw in Marco Belinelli, who carries a $6 million salary for this season and will hit free agency this summer.
DeRozan and Jimmy Butler would make the Heat even more of a significant threat in the East if this were to go down.