Another thing to consider when it comes to adding DeRozan is how this move actually helps combat the length of other teams. Let me explain...
In previous seasons, our wings/forwards have been Murray, Barnes, Huerter, Lyles, Vezenkov, Duarte, Edwards, Davis, Metu, etc. None of those players are serious go-to scoring threats. Guys like Murray, Barnes, Huerter, etc. get a lot of their points off C&S shoot opportunities or slashing after someone like Fox has broken down the defense.
What does this allow teams to do? This allows teams to put great/elite defenders with excellent length (Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Derrick Jones, Andrew Wiggins, Paul George, Jaden McDaniels, Lu Dort, Devin Vassell, etc.) on Fox to help slow down the POA while not being too worried about the other wings/forwards attacking a smaller player defending them. Having another go-to scoring option with size/length on the roster may force those lengthy defenders to take DeRozan as their matchup thus making Fox's matchup easier to exploit.
On a somewhat related note, DeRozan has been a
New Orleans Pelicans killer. DeRozan has played 4 games against the Pelicans the last 2 seasons and below are his per 36 min numbers:
.650 TS%
.569 FG%
.607 2P%
.364 3P%
.852 FT%
17.6 FGA
14.9 2PA
2.7 3PA
6.6 FTA
26.6 PTS
4.4 REB
6.6 AST
0.2 STL
0.2 BLK
1.7 TO
2.9 PF
3.9 AST:TO
At the very least, we may have added a piece that can help us improve that matchup against the Pelicans.
Don't get me wrong, I'd like to have more length at PF to help on the defensive end, but I think the presence of DeRozan will help combat length on the offensive end since they can't just drape lengthy/athletic defenders all over Fox in an effort to overwhelm him.