Hoops Habit
Fansided

Cashing In: 5 NBA Players Earning Money In The Playoffs

By Josh Cornelissen

Dec 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the net as forward Bismack Biyombo (8) blocks San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the net as forward Bismack Biyombo (8) blocks San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) tries to defend during the first quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) tries to defend during the first quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

5. DeMar DeRozan, SG, Toronto Raptors

For DeRozan, this is more an arrestation of his downward momentum than the acquisition of real money. All season long DeRozan has been in line for a max contract come July, a stance seemingly confirmed by his All-Star campaign where he averaged 23.5 poinst per game, tops on a 56-win Toronto Raptors team.

But through 14 playoff games DeRozan had been inconsistent at best, unable to score over the length of such defenders as Paul George and Justice Winslow. In the first two rounds DeRozan had 10 games of less than 40 percent shooting from the field, and not a single one over 50 percent. If he didn’t make it to the free throw line, he simply didn’t score.

More from NBA

Whispers began to float around that DeRozan might lose his max contract. That if the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t sign him (long rumored to be a top option for the Southern California native) he may sign for a lesser amount to stay with Toronto.  

But DeRozan and the entire Toronto Raptors team have turned it around in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning Games 3 and 4 to tie the series. DeRozan did not shoot less than 44 percent in four games to start the series, putting up at least 18 points in each game. His 32 points in Game 4 on only 24 shooting possessions was one of the best games of his career.

A maximum contract for DeRozan will start around $25 million depending on the exact cap number. With a bounce-back performance in the conference finals, he has set that number in stone. The only contract question for DeRozan this summer is what country he’s paying taxes to.

Next: Barnes