DeRozan sees future with Raptors: 'My mindset has always been Toronto'

All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan will have the opportunity to part ways with the Toronto Raptors as an unrestricted free agent this summer when he presumably opts out of the final year of his deal.

However, as he told reporters on Saturday, remaining in "The 6ix" is something he's always prioritized.

"My mindset has always been Toronto," DeRozan said. "I was passionate about it when we was losing. When we was terrible, I said I'm going to stick through this whole thing."

DeRozan has donned Raptor red ever since being selected ninth overall out of USC in the 2009 NBA draft, basking in the team's highest of highs and enduring the lowest of lows. The Raptors barely eclipsed the 20-win mark in 2010-11, and have since grown into a top contender in the East, advancing all the way to the conference finals this season before being ousted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rumors have circulated that the Los Angeles Lakers will offer DeRozan a max contract. Having grown up in the area, the 26-year-old swingman could see value in returning home to revitalize a struggling franchise he knows so well. The Lakers are coming off their two worst seasons ever, though, and with winning being of the utmost importance, there may not be enough upside to convince DeRozan to go Hollywood.

"I grew up in L.A. That's my home," DeRozan said. "There's not a part of L.A. I haven't seen. I don't get caught up into it. I let whoever comes up with that say that they want to say. Only thing appealing to me is the things I've done in this organization and the things that can be done here. And that's always been my mindset."

"I'm a loyal person. That's how I've lived my whole life. At this point, it's all about winning."

DeRozan then called the idea of spending an entire playing career in one uniform an "incredible thing to do." Should he stick around and maintain a clean bill of health, he would topple the franchise record of 542 games played, currently held by Morris Peterson in 2016-17.

The Raptors will have a leg up on the competition in contract negotiations, as they can offer him a five-year deal worth an estimated $145.5 million under the rising salary cap as opposed to four years. It would more than double what he'd otherwise make should he opt in for $9.5 million, which would be far, far below his market value.

DeRozan led Toronto in scoring during its playoff run, averaging 20.9 points on 39.4 percent shooting, along with 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 37.3 minutes.