demar derozan
Apr 16, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesCredit: USA Today Sports
Aside from LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan is probably the most potentially impactful unrestricted free agent remaining this summer. And while James was long a thorn in DeRozan’s side during the latter’s days with the Toronto Raptors, the four-time champion is once again a headache for DeRozan this offseason. Until LeBron finally decides which team he’s heading to, DeRozan’s future is somewhat stalled.
Two of DeMar’s possible landing spots are thought to have James as their top priority at this point. Both the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers are waiting on LeBron’s decision before thinking about a backup plan like DeRozan. And two other interested parties, the Raptors and LA Clippers, are waiting on the league’s ruling on the future of Kawhi Leonard before their trade sending him to Toronto can go through. That would allow both teams to think more clearly about how DeRozan could fit into their plans.
But the good news for DD is that the Detroit Pistons are now rumored to be considering his services. That’s according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
The Pistons are evaluating a pursuit of DeMar DeRozan in free agency, per @TheSteinLine
Detroit sits $46 million under the tax line and wants more offense around Cade Cunningham. DeRozan's market should take off once LeBron decides 👀 pic.twitter.com/tpnkGxKM09
— NBARetweet (@RTNBA) July 17, 2026
Pistons looking for star scorer to take some heat off Cunningham, now eyeing DeRozan
The Pistons’ goal this offseason has been to find another scorer to take the pressure off superstar Cade Cunningham. DeRozan, even at age 36 this past season, still averaged 18.4 points per game. He wouldn’t bring the floor spacing that they need, however, as the three-pointer is not part of DeRozan’s game. It’s an ongoing internal discussion the Pistons are having.
Detroit beat writer Hunter Patterson of The Athletic writes that the Pistons are exploring every option, but to this point, trades for big stars have required much too high of an asking price.
“Whether it was Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant or Trey Murphy III, the Pistons couldn’t rationalize jeopardizing their future to make a win-now move in a shortened window.” He says the asking prices for players of that ilk included young talent, three first-round selections and multiple pick swaps.
But DeRozan? All it takes is money on a free agent deal. And not a lot, likely. The Pistons sit $46 million under the tax line. They do have two other big moves to make this summer, however, as they continue to struggle to sign restricted free-agent center Jalen Duren to a new contract and Ausar Thompson to a rookie-scale extension.