The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are showing trade interest in San Antonio Spurs shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, according to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy.com.
“I’m told the Bucks and Nets have both asked about DeRozan’s availability,” Robinson reported.
While this news from Robinson is undoubtedly new, it’s not all that surprising — as both the Bucks and Nets are looking to add top-notch talent to their projected championship contenders.
Also, rumors have persisted that DeRozan is looking to move on from the Spurs (a notion he sort of denied on Instagram).
The main concern for the Bucks is back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is entering the final year of his contract. While the Bucks are expected to offer him a supermax extension, he is likely to see how the roster shapes up and season plays out before determining his future.
They’ve already been linked to Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, and Robinson also mentioned Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry as another player on the Bucks’ radar.
Meanwhile, the Nets are apparently on the lookout for a third consistent scorer and borderline All-Star to place next to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the starting lineup.
DeRozan has a player option worth $27.7 million that he can exercise this offseason. He can also turn it down and enter free agency.
He averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 68 games this past season.
DeRozan was acquired in the Kawhi Leonard trade with the Toronto Raptors prior to the 2018-19 season.
