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After starting 2019-20 slowly, DeMar DeRozan has picked up his play significantly in recent weeks, producing as a Top-20 Fantasy Basketball asset. In fact, dating back to Dec. 23, the veteran out of USC has averaged 25.7 points per game with an eye-popping .679 true shooting rate. There’s just one problem, it all seems so, so unsustainable. Is there reason to believe DeRozan can continue to significantly outproduce his career numbers in his 11th professional campaign?
Why you should trade DeMar DeRozan in Fantasy Basketball
Through 43 contests, DeRozan is in possession of a .539 effective field goal rate, which is easily the best mark of his entire career. Now, to be fair to the 30-year-old, there are reasons for this aside from pure luck. DeRozan’s completely eliminated the 3-point shot from his arsenal, taking just 3.9% of his attempts from deep. Conversely, 26.7% of his shots are coming at the rim, which is DeRozan’s highest output from that zone since all the way back in 2010-11. His average shot distance of 9.9 feet is his lowest figure since his rookie season. It does stand to reason that your efficiency would go up as you’re moving closer and closer to the basket.
However, even acknowledging that, DeRozan’s going to regress. Among the 38 qualified players with a true shooting percentage above .600, DeRozan’s the only non-center accomplishing the feat without the benefit of the 3-ball. Yes, there’s value in his willingness to play every night and the Spurs do have a league-high 39 games remaining on their schedule; yet, if I’m offered a Top-30 piece, I’m more than willing to let someone else worry about DeRozan’s mid-range fetish.