Will Raptors legend DeMar DeRozan make the Hall of Fame?

DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors in of Game 4 of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on May 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 128-93. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Will Raptors legend DeMar DeRozan make the Hall of Fame?

The Toronto Raptors finally saw a player who played a majority of their games north of the border get their deserved Basketball Hall of Fame induction when Chris Bosh found his way to Springfield. After Vince Carter and Kyle Lowry’s expected inductions, will DeMar DeRozan follow them?

DeRozan, who has become the leader of a Chicago Bulls team that has emerged as a championship contender, made his fifth career All-Star game. If his scoring average holds, his 28.1 points per game would be a new career-high. Not bad for a guy in his 13th NBA season.

While DeRozan spent three years struggling to make the postseason in San Antonio and has yet to put that elusive championship ring on his finger, the odds of him eventually getting the highest individual honor in the game bestowed upon him aren’t as unrealistic as some might assume.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic postulated that DeRozan will eventually make it to the Hall of Fame, citing the fact that some casual fans might be surprised by how consistent and effective he has been as a scorer. DeRozan, who will turn 33 next season, still has enough time to supplement his legacy.

Will Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan make the Hall of Fame?

DeRozan is currently averaging 20.6 points per game over 13 years. While crossing that 20-point barrier might not make him a lock for the Hall, DeRozan already has five All-Star teams and two All-NBA nods to his name. He will likely end up with a third All-NBA designation this year.

While his nine years in Toronto got him very close to the Hall of Fame doorstep, DeRozan could set himself apart from the rest of the borderline players if he keeps playing near this level for the duration of his Bulls contract. A few more All-Star nods and one more All-NBA appearance would give him an overwhelming resume.

Basketball Reference’s Hall of Fame Predictor, which factors in both individual accolades and postseason success, gives DeRozan just under a 21% chance of making it to Springfield currently. This puts him below Hall of Fame snubs like Gilbert Arenas, Shawn Kemp, Jermaine O’Neal, and Shawn Marion.

However, his number ranks above that of legends like Pete Maravich, Spencer Haywood, Chris Webber, and Jamaal Wilkes, just to name a few. With a few more seasons of averaging 20 or more points per game and one more All-Star nod, DeRozan may end up getting some HOF love.

DeRozan’s name is littered all over Toronto’s record books, and his continued excellence is helping the rest of the NBA world see what a special, unique talent he always has been. The voters will have a harder time excluding him if he keeps producing like this.