Is DeMar DeRozan's long-term future in San Antonio?
According to Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs are considering offering him a maximum contract extension this off-season.
Per Finger:
"Popovich genuinely likes the group he has assembled in San Antonio, and after outsiders speculated DeMar DeRozan might be used as trade bait this offseason, all indications are that the Spurs value his presence and want to keep him around. They have not yet offered him a maximum contract extension, but they have not ruled out the possibility of doing so before the season begins, either."
DeRozan still has two years remaining on his current deal, with a $27.7 million player option for the final year, giving him the ability to test free agency next summer.
If he opts out of the final year of his deal, he would be one of the marquee names available, alongside Anthony Davis (unrestricted) and Gordon Hayward (player option), giving him the ability to earn a much larger deal.
The 30-year-old enjoyed a productive debut season in San Antonio after being traded by the Toronto Raptors alongside Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, who went on to win the NBA championship.
DeRozan averaged 21.2 points per game last season, setting new career highs in rebounds (6.0) and assists (6.2).
Alongside LaMarcus Aldridge, DeRozan helped the Spurs reach the playoffs for the 22nd straight season, losing in the first round to the Denver Nuggets in seven games.
Despite winning 48 games last season, there have been question marks about the long-term fit of DeRozan and Aldridge, who primarily operate in the mid-range, while the rest of the league leans into a three-point heavy offence. Per NBA.com, the Spurs scored 43.3 percent of their buckets from mid-range, the fourth-most in the NBA.
After shooting 31 percent from three in his final season with the Raptors, DeRozan struggled to find his groove from deep last season, connecting on just 15.6 percent of his threes on three fewer attempts per game.