The Sixer Sense
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NBA Free Agency: Philadelphia 76ers from Toronto Raptors?

By Bret Stuter

Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers special advisor Jerry Colangelo (L) goes over first quarter stats with owner Joshua Harris (R) during a timeout against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. The Spurs won 119-68. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers special advisor Jerry Colangelo (L) goes over first quarter stats with owner Joshua Harris (R) during a timeout against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. The Spurs won 119-68. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a breather during the third quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) takes a breather during the third quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The North Star

DeMar DeRozan (early termination option) – the crown jewel of the Toronto Raptors, who certainly is lining up in his mind for a max contract.  But will the Toronto Raptors deliver it?   Many believe that the Raptors will cough up the max deal out of necessity.  In short, if not for their own – DeMar DeRozan – then for who?  While Toronto’s strategy is certainly to chase marquis talent, they struggle to do so based on that troublesome international challenge.  NBA players like to play warm and like to play comfortably.   Toronto – a true gorgeous city in it’s own right and one everyone should visit – has cold winters (when Basketball season is underway) and it’s inconvenient in terms of learning an entirely new currency, customs, and legal process.

Competition for the services of DeRozan is the Los Angeles Lakers. But they have struggled, are not competitive, and are banking on the NBA Draft (much like the post-Labron James Cleveland Cavaliers did when they got three of the four first picks in their lottery appearances) and on the talents of new and first time head coach Luke Walton.   Rather than await the development of their own, the team is rumored to be in the hunt for marquis players who could make the team relevant again.  The Lakers would not be a great site for DeRozan though, as their team will likely be heavy towards a rebuilding project that was delayed due to the retirement of Kobe Bryant.  Young players did not get as much playing time, which has forced the Lakers to contemplate jump starting the team if they can.

There will likely be other suitors for the young man’s services.  He’s young enough to play for many years, but seasoned enough to be a major contributor in the playoffs. Or will he? He has hit a rough patch in the road this post-season, enough of a patch to give pause for some of the enthusiasm to sign him to a max contract has subsided, for now. But DeRozan doesn’t worry.

"“You can’t let frustration get to you, at all. Can’t listen to what the outsiders got to say. You just can’t get caught up in that. You’ve got to stay positive,” DeRozan said. “It’s 2-2. We’ve got a great opportunity to go home and do what we can do.”"

If he continues to struggle, and the Raptors are shown the door, the mood of management may alter their philosophy. Will the pay max if they don’t see DeRozen lead the Raptors to victory in the playoffs? Probably, but there is another option for the shooting guard phenom.

Next: A Colangelo's Chance in Philly