Report: DeRozan opts out of contract, becomes free agent

Toronto Raptors All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan has opted out of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, league sources told Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes.

The 26-year-old had a player option worth $9.5 million for the 2016-17 season, but will turn it down with the expectation of landing a more lucrative deal under the league's soaring salary cap.

He's gone on record to proclaim his love for playing north of the border, and how he'd like to remain with the Raptors moving forward.

"My mindset has always been Toronto," DeRozan said during his end-of-year news conference in May. "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 was selected ninth overall by the franchise in the 2009 draft, and has played the third-most games in team history at 521. He also ranks second in points (9,436), second in minutes played (17,655), and fifth in steals (492).

He averaged a career-best 23.5 points this past season in 78 appearances, along with 4.5 rebounds, four assists, and a steal. While his numbers and shooting percentages took a hit during the postseason, DeRozan remained an integral part of Toronto's success during their run to the Eastern Conference finals, which they ultimately lost in six games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.