Target 1: DeMar DeRozan

Why Him?

Reports earlier this year indicate the Orlando Magic “scoured” the market for offensive help and expressed specific interest in the San Antonio Spurs star.

The Spurs are at the end of their road it seems with their current veteran-laden group. San Antonio has gotten out to an uncharacteristic 11-16 start (like the Magic, in the hunt for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference).

DeMar DeRozan though could opt out and become a free agent this offseason. And there are some signals the Spurs are ready to go into a fuller rebuild.

DeRozan will not be a focal point of their future. That title belongs to Bryn Forbes, Lonnie Walker IV, Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. Sending him off and getting something in return before his player option year may be advisable.

Why He Potentially Benefits Orlando

DeRozan can score. Even with his lowest usage rate since 2013, DeRozan puts up 20.6 points per game and about 5.5 rebounds per game with 4.8 assists per game. He shoots better tahn than 50 percent from the floor.

He is a player who a team can give the ball and he will find a way to score. DeRozan is top-10 in the league in drive points per game.

In a Magic uniform, he would provide a bona fide offensive threat that teams must account for each and every night. With Nikola Vucevic working his way back to full form and Evan Fournier enjoying a career year, forcing opponents’ hands to appropriately gameplan on defense will certainly help a team that struggles to crack 100 on some nights.

Why He is a Risk

DeRozan’s setbacks are well-documented.

First, he cannot, should not, and/or does not attempt 3-pointers. In the modern NBA, this is almost sacrilegious, especially for a player who thrives with the ball in his hands as much as DeRozan does. Without being a threat from long distance, DeRozan’s presence on the court would do little-to-nothing to resolve the Magic’s spacing issues.

It is also no mystery DeRozan is not a defensive stalwart and he is particularly putrid on that end this year. To say the team’s difference in offense would be greater than the drop-off in defense is a tentative declaration at best.

On top of all this, he is in the final year of his current contract with a player option for next year. With Gordon having two more seasons after this one remaining on a team-friendly contract, it would be difficult to accept trading away a productive but struggling two-way player who has shown the Magic loyalty for a six-month rental of a player who cannot shoot threes and struggles defensively.