Report: Raptors 'quietly explored' trade market for DeRozan last summer

For the second straight offseason, the Toronto Raptors are at a crossroads, trying to figure out how to move forward after being swept out of the postseason by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Last year's playoff humbling inspired a dramatic stylistic pivot but scant change on the personnel front. The latter, however, was reportedly not for lack of trying. Word is the Raptors "quietly explored their DeMar DeRozan trade options last summer," according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

DeRozan obviously wound up staying put, and subsequently submitted arguably his best NBA season. Although he sacrificed some scoring and playing time, DeRozan filled out his game with an increased emphasis on 3-point shooting and playmaking. He averaged 23 points, 3.9 rebounds, and a career-high 5.2 assists, while posting a career-best 55.5 true shooting percentage.

Given that the Raptors' front office has already indicated that this summer will be different and that the status quo won't cut it, it stands to reason that the team may shop DeRozan once again. But, given DeRozan's onerous contract, and the way his season ended - he averaged 16.8 points and 2.8 assists on 47.3 percent true shooting in the Cavs series - the trade market for him may once again be too tepid for the Raptors to wade into.