DeMar DeRozan has emerged as a potential fallback trade option for teams unable to land Kevin Durant, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.
As the Kevin Durant sweepstakes heat up, another name is quietly gaining traction among NBA front offices: DeMar DeRozan.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant
Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: PF
Age: 36
Height: 211 cm
Weight: 109 kg
Birth place: Washington, United States of America
According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer via Stein’s Substack per TalkBasket, teams that strike out on Durant could pivot to acquiring DeRozan.
The Sacramento Kings forward is reportedly available via trade this offseason, and his experience, production, and contract make him a logical fallback.
Durant has made it clear he prefers a move to the San Antonio Spurs. However, league sources suggest San Antonio is reluctant to part with core young players, limiting their ability to meet the Phoenix Suns high asking price for the 15-time All-Star.
The Suns are said to be prioritizing both immediate contributors and long-term value in return for Durant, who is entering the final year of his contract worth $54.7 million.
Several teams — including the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves — have made offers, but none have met Phoenix's demands. Houston, in particular, has emerged as a serious contender given its deep asset pool and recent success.
That’s where DeRozan comes in. The 35-year-old veteran is entering the second year of a three-year, $74 million deal he signed with Sacramento last summer.
He played 77 games in the 2024–25 season, averaging 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists — continuing his trend of consistent scoring and leadership.
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