The Toronto Raptors have received encouraging news regarding a potential reunion with franchise icon DeMar DeRozan, according to a recent insider report. This development comes as the team looks to bolster its roster after Kawhi Leonard's return, which already raised the Raptors' ceiling in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Leonard's presence alone makes Toronto a more dangerous threat, as the team that once led the franchise to its only NBA championship now regains its two-way star power. Even without DeRozan, the Raptors remained relevant in the playoff picture, but adding the six-time All-Star could transform them into legitimate title contenders.
The Raptors' pursuit of DeRozan would reunite him with the organization where he spent nine seasons and became the franchise's all-time leading scorer. The move would also bolster an offense that has lacked consistent perimeter creation outside of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes.
Though no deal is imminent, the insider report suggests that Toronto's front office is optimistic about its chances. The Raptors currently sit fifth in the East with a 34-28 record, and adding DeRozan could leapfrog them past struggling teams like the Knicks and Cavaliers in the standings.
"Bringing DeMar back would be a full-circle moment for the city and the team," a league executive told Yahoo Sports. "But it's also a basketball fit that makes sense."