Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Pending Free Agents Who Need A Change Of Scenery

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the second half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the second half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Contract Status: Player Option
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 26 (8/7/1989)
Slash Line: .446/.338/.850
Season Averages: 35.9 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 3PM

For as encouraging as the Toronto Raptors’ long-awaited escape of the first round has been, the writing is on the wall for DeMar DeRozan. Dwane Casey is an under-appreciated head coach, but his offensive system enables DeRozan to play to his weaknesses.

With a number of coaches who can better utilize his old school abilities, DeRozan needs to leave Toronto.

DeRozan needs to play for a coach who will get on him for settling for long contested 2s. He’s, arguably, the best slasher in the NBA, which should be the foundation for his approach at No. 1 in points via drives per game and No. 3 in free throws attempted per contest.

The reality is, when the game gets tough, DeRozan seems to prefer settling for jumpers over attacking the rack.

In a system that forces him to attack and limits the opportunities he has to settle, DeRozan can live up to his potential. He’s clearly a star-caliber player, but his shortcomings in the postseason are a sign that he’s in a system that simply doesn’t work for him.

DeRozan can be great—two All-Star Game appearances and a featured role on three division champions prove as much—but he needs a change of scenery to be so.

Next: Destined For Bigger Things