Jeff McDonald: DeMar DeRozan, asked if his contract situation remains on his mind, tries to be relate to the scribe asking the question. DD: “I never think about it until someone brings it up. When’s your contract up?” Me: We’re all day-to-day, man. DD: “Shit I’m day-to-day too.”
More on DeMar DeRozan Extension?
According to the latest rumbles, San Antonio and DeRozan aren’t particularly close to a deal. But there is no looming deadline for veteran extensions like DeRozan’s — extension talks can go all the way up to June 30 as opposed to Monday’s deadline for rookie-scale deals — and the Spurs have lots to think about here.
The Spurs would prefer to do a short-term extension if they grant one, given DeRozan’s age (30) and the fact that they have some good guards in the program (Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Bryn Forbes and Lonnie Walker IV) who are likely to only keep expanding their roles. DeRozan undoubtedly wants a longer-term extension in exchange for sacrificing his free agency.
A source with knowledge of the situation says the Spurs and DeRozan have continued to discuss a possible extension, but the two sides remain quite a ways apart. (As our Shams Charania recently reported, a max extension for DeRozan would be four years, $150 million; a deal can be agreed upon up until the start of free agency). For San Antonio’s purposes, a two-year deal would be preferable as a way to maintain future flexibility while securing a player in DeRozan, who – if he opts out – would be the best wing scorer on the market. If the 30-year-old DeRozan picks up the option, however, he could reap the benefits of a 2021 summer in which the cap is expected to spike to approximately $125 million (looming China factor notwithstanding).
Tom Orsborn: DeMar DeRozan when asked about about reported contract extension talks between him & #Spurs. "You know more than me. Honestly, I just concentrate on practice. That hasn't even crossed my mind unless somebody brings it up to me."
DeRozan and the Spurs are having discussions on a contract extension, though nothing is imminent, league sources told The Athletic.
Jabari Young: Here at #Spurs Media Day... Asked DeMar about his contract status... said he’s not focused on extension talks at the moment @The Athletic pic.twitter.com/E2vvYknauk
But Popovich genuinely likes the group he has assembled in San Antonio, and after outsiders speculated DeMar DeRozan might be used as trade bait this offseason, all indications are that the Spurs value his presence and want to keep him around. They have not yet offered him a maximum contract extension, but they have not ruled out the possibility of doing so before the season begins, either.
