Ben for DeRozan?

The 2nd post in this thread nailed it with the reminder of Gay and Derozan together.....nothing else matters.

Except the reasons why the Gay trade worked for Toronto are because:

1. It enabled them to shore up their bench.
2. It opened up playing time/touches for players who aren't as good as Gay, but could contribute "close enough" numbers, without needing to be focal point of the offense.

Toronto can't get the kind of haul for DeRozan that they got for Gay, and they don't have anybody left waiting in the wings to take his spot, either.

DeRozan may be the better player of the two, but then he should be. He's entering his 7th year in the league while Ben is entering his 3rd. Even at that, DeRozan only shot 28.4% from the three last season, and is a career 29% shooter from there, while Ben shot 34% from the three. Overall, DeRozan is the better player now, but it's possible that Ben will eventually be the better player. Personally I don't think the upgrade would be worth what it would cost since Ben alone wouldn't acquire DeRozan. At this point it's fair to say that DeRozan is what you see, where Ben still has upside.

he's certainly thirde fiddle (if that) in terms of talent. he's no ones star

Ben for DeRozan would be a lose lose situation. Neither team would ever do it.

Toronto has their own Ben in Ross. I don't know that it would make sense for both sides. If Carter isn't currently on a team, I could definitely see him mentoring Ben in Toronto.

Having DeRozan on this team would complicate a lot of things. We'd definitely have to blow up the team a bit. Ex: trade Gay, let go of Rondo, and etc.

Thank you. You and I share the same vision. He would be a third fiddle on this team and all other teams looking to contend for more than just a one and done playoff appearance.