Whether it’s coming from a GM, coach, or player, the list of clichés we have to endure each and every year is rather endless. Though I will say that often times the lack of insight given is just a byproduct of the repetitive questions thrown their way. But it’s almost to the point where body language has become much more important than what’s actually being said.
However, whenever a contract situation is the topic of conversation, the “at the end of the day, this is a business” generalization serves as a beneficial reminder.
And with the NCAA Tourney playing in the background as I write this, that notion only rings louder.
March Madness has been its usual entertaining self (for the most part) but I can’t help be preoccupied on what it has become. With a large portion of talent on their way to becoming “one and done”, has anybody else lost a substantial amount of their emotional investment?
It is what it is, I guess. I can’t really take issue with anyone leaving school early when they’re just an injury away from losing out on getting seriously paid — or better yet, a chance to provide for others who provided for them growing up. And if universities are going to reap major financial rewards from an individual’s effort, why not jump ship if those benefits aren’t mutually exclusive. At least one’s education is common ground between them. Right?
Ok, moving on with the “business” at hand.
One could argue that I’m also guilty of my own complaint. It’s not like DeMar DeRozan’s contract status and questionable future in a Raptors’ uniform is something you aren’t already aware of. But unlike those “Three keys to victory” handed out before tipoff on any given broadcast, this forum allows us to elaborate on the subject.
And judging by public opinion, plus the aforementioned body language displayed by DeRozan and management alike, it more or less represents a 70/30 split in favor of him re-signing.
With that said, alongside trying to block out Mo Pete’s halftime breakdown of Syracuse-Virginia, let’s start the negotiations:
The 70 Percent Probability
If we’re talking about DeMar the player, you wouldn’t have found such a high percentage in terms of this fan base’s approval rating coming into the season. But at this point, even though he’ll seemingly always have naysayers poking holes in what he brings to the table — some justifiable, some stretching the truth — it’s safe to assume many of his former critics have crossed over to the other side.
For as much as Lowry leads the charge, DeRozan’s ability to get to the line will be front and center in every close playoff game. And make no mistake, there will be plenty of those to go around — something tells me the Refs won’t be handing out the benefit of the doubt a 2-seed deserves.
Whether or not Toronto ends up sitting atop the Eastern Conference is a topic for another day, but at this point it’s looking like catching Cleveland isn’t high on their priority list.
As we all know, K-Low won’t let DeMar go down without a fight. And vice versa. Well, sort of. But it does speak to their unique relationship. I’d even say their rapport is unlike any other duo in the league with just as much chemistry on the court as they do in plain clothes.
Which leads to the question — depending on whether Toronto is prepared to offer a max-type contract — Why on earth would DeMar want to leave such a great situation? Which then leads to the follow-up question: Why would Masai and company not do everything in their power to ensure DD stays in the fold?
Owning his Bird Rights will allow the cap to be exceeded if management so chooses and even if you don’t believe DeRozan is worth that kind of the investment, you better prepare yourself for such a scenario to take place. Especially if you want the team to bring back Bismack Biyombo — Who doesn’t? — and still be able to dip their toes in Free Agency. Albeit ever so slightly.
Masai deserves credit for taking measures to protect this franchise if it indeed has to form a new core moving forward. But a plan of action is also ready to aid the team’s ability to re-sign DeMar and not feel the wrath of its financial burden in the process.
The signings of T-Ross and JV were astute moves in more ways than one. Ready-made and affordable contracts will be highly sought after in the league’s upcoming environment, and the club’s first choice should be to work around the edges. If that means one of Ross or JV has to be moved in order to keep one of this team’s premier pieces, Ujiri should be ready to go that route.
More on the flip side Ross and Valanciunas present in a bit.
For now, let’s get back to Lowry, along with his own contract status. Not to mention crashing the re-signing party while doing so.
It’s not like he’s locked up for the long haul to help influence DeRozan’s decision. If K-Low was guaranteed to be here past next season, you might be able to bet the farm that DeMar would return the favor of Lowry re-upping in 2014.
By the way, contracts with player options are loving every minute of the impending cap rise — with T.O. no stranger to the turmoil they’re now putting teams in.
Now back to the flip side, along with the man who’s in charge of navigating through the chaos:
The 30 Percent Counter
Enter the upcoming playoffs into the equation right off the bat. With more than half of this percentage stemming from how the Raps eventually perform — or how far they make it — Toronto controls its own destiny in terms of the organization keeping its fruitful relationship with DeRozan intact — on, and off the court.
What happens, though, if the postseason amounts to this squad buckling under pressure and the renewed sense of optimism provided by the regular season goes to waste?
Now, I’d be leery of including the Brooklyn series in the category of disappointments as the Raps did exist as the team that was just happy to be there at the time, but that was supposed to be what catapulted this franchise’s future playoff success.
And all the follow-up against Washington did was set this franchise back when a giant leap was expected. I’ll even buy the fact that the Wizards’ knockout punch can be viewed as a useful motivation tool but, the stakes are clearly higher this time around.
It’s not much of a stretch to think DeRozan’s attitude towards this team would shift if “We The North” transforms into “We The Team That Goes South When It Matters Most” for a second straight time. Regardless if the club holds his Bird Rights, as mentioned above.
DeRozan is famous for his work ethic and dedication. As evident by his annual improvement. A fact that directly connects to one being loyal, one having a sense of community, and in turn, wanting to finish something they started. All of which are traits that would support his return next season. One could even argue it’s inevitable.
Well, T.O. isn’t the only city that can connect with those characteristics…
Only time will tell but, other than Toronto, I can’t imagine there’s a bigger frontrunner to land his services other than the Lakers. Let’s see what the L.A. checklist has to offer:
- Born and raised in Compton, California.
- High school number recently retired at Compton High (With memories of two District Championships)
- Played his collegiate ball at USC (that damn “one and done” again)
- A Lakers squad with a future that’s not as abysmal as their current place in the standings would suggest.
- DeRozan would be the No.1 option on a team with a promising core of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordon Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr. Not to mention the fact L.A. will hold the most amount of cap room when Free Agency hits. The possibilities are enticing, to say the least.
- The opportunity to take the torch from Kobe Bryant in your hometown, a player DeMar idolized growing up.
There is, however, a reason all of the above reside in the 30 percent section. Whether its summer workouts or playing in Drew League, DeMar gets his California fix by going back to the West Coast every offseason.
Still, when there’s anything resembling a 30 percent chance, there should be GM prepared to deal with the fallout. And Masai Ujiri has done just that. The re-signing of Terrence Ross, and the foresight to draft everyone’s favorite up-and-comer, Norman Powell, will go a long way in treading water if DeMar does indeed leave town. Even handing JV his new contract adds to the fact that the Raps won’t be short on assets if this situation drags on into the summer months.
And with Bismack providing the rim protection and rebounding sorely lacking in recent years, the blow of DeRozan’s departure would be softened by Biyombo becoming easier to re-sign. Along with the Raps then being able to be players in Free Agency with notable draft picks to ease the pain.
With so many storylines to follow, the Playoffs promise to be entertaining as hell. And the drama the offseason potentially holds isn’t far behind.
There does come a time when we have to start treating our favorite teams like a business the same way they treat us. Hopefully, our emotional investment gets treated properly in the postseason and that doesn’t become the offseason’s theme.
Bring on the Bulls!
