NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics To Sign DeMar DeRozan In NBA Free Agency?

The upcoming NBA offseason is going to be a very entertaining period to say the least. More money will be spent this offseason than in recent years thanks to the dramatic rise in cap space and there are a lot of big names available in free agency. One of those big names is Toronto Raptors’ star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.

He decided to opt out of his deal with the Raptors to test free agency and there will be a lot of teams that line up to attempt to sign him. Both the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to pursue him heavily, but there is another team that hasn’t been talked about as much that could get into a bidding war for him.

Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics have been on the rise in the Eastern Conference over the last couple seasons and are looking for a legitimate star. Leah Smith of FanSided.com opined that the Celtics could be one of the top free agency landing spots for DeRozan.

DeRozan would be a massive addition for the Celtics and he could make them one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. He would make a lethal pair with Isaiah Thomas in the back-court, which could be an even better duo than what DeRozan currently has with Kyle Lowry in Toronto.

Last season with the Raptors, DeRozan ended up averaging 23.5 points per game, while also chipping in 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists. He shot 44.6 percent from the field overall and knocked down a career high 33.8 percent of his shots from behind the three-point arc. Those numbers show just how good of a scorer DeRozan is capable of being for the Celtics, which is an area that they desperately needed help with last year.

At 26-years-old, DeRozan would be a long-term investment for the Celtics. He could be a cornerstone of the Boston franchise for the next four years at least.

There are some in the media that are concerned about the way DeRozan plays and the inconsistency that he showed in the postseason this year. His shot selection was a bit rough and his percentages were down. Despite those concerns, DeRozan could reach the next level in his career by playing for a strong coach like Stevens.

If the Celtics were able to acquire DeRozan, they would be immediate contenders in the East. Getting through LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers won’t be easy, assuming James re-signs with the Cavaliers this offseason, but the Celtics would give them a run for their money.

Danny Ainge has been aggressive in trade talks over the last couple of years. He has pursued players like Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler, and Jahlil Okafor at different times. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him change course and try to sign a big name free agent this offseason.

Boston will have to compete with more than just Toronto and Los Angeles to get DeRozan. Teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic could get in the mix too. While that may be the case, the Celtics likely offer DeRozan the best chance to win a championship and to play for a storied NBA franchise at the same time.

Expect to hear plenty of rumors come out surrounding the Celtics and DeRozan as the offseason gets going. It won’t be surprising at all if the two parties talk at some point after free agency opens. DeRozan may end up re-signing with the Raptors, or signing with another team, but the Celtics can offer a very comfortable landing spot for him.

Do you think the Boston Celtics should try to sign DeMar DeRozan this offseason? Would he make them a legitimate championship contender? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[AP Photo/Gerald Herbert]