DeMar DeRozan says his free agency decision is “all about winning”

DeMar DeRozan’s impending free agency has been a subject of heated debate ever since he picked up his fifth-year player option last offseason. And while the four-time All-Star didn’t provide much information about his intentions during the year, Spurs fans got some clarity during his interview on Shannon Sharpe’s weekly podcast Club Shay Shay.

Not only did the twelve-year veteran express “it’s all about winning at this point” when asked about what he would look for in a new NBA home, but he later spoke about what it would mean to play for his hometown team Los Angeles Lakers.

“You can’t ask a kid if they want to play at home (and think) they’ll say no, DeRozan said. “At some point, you will definitely want to have that opportunity, and especially if they want you. Why not? It’s a great opportunity.”

A couple of quotes from a podcast appearance doesn’t mean DeRozan is a lock to join the Purple and Gold. But playing third fiddle to superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis would undoubtedly give DeMar a distinct path towards title contention.

The Knicks, Mavericks, and Heat have enough cap space to make a run at the high-scoring swingman, and if the Lakers want to add him to their starstudded cast, they’ll almost definitely have to do so via a sign-and-trade with the Spurs.

Despite the noise surrounding DeMar in the news cycle, Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated claims the Clippers, Bulls, and Knicks could pursue the Compton native this summer. Spears also says not to count out San Antonio quite yet.

Regardless of the chatter, the dominoes won’t start falling into place for another week or so. The 2021 NBA Draft is Thursday night, the free agency moratorium begins August 2, and the official contract signing period opens August 6 at 12:01 AM EST.