DeMar DeRozan has found a new home to pursue his 18th NBA campaign, signing with the Denver Nuggets as an unrestricted free agent.
He will be inking a one-year, $3.9 million deal to join Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the Mile High City.
As one of the league's most lethal offensive stars during his Toronto Raptors days, DeRozan is expected to be a major help for the Nuggets team that is looking to be back on top. He is poised to lead the team's second unit with his scoring ability and veteran presence.
DeRozan has joined the Nuggets after being waived by the Sacramento Kings. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steal over 77 games for Sacramento this past 2025-26 season.
Nuggets already interested in DeMar DeRozan since February
Tracking previous reports, the Denver Nuggets had recently emerged as a team interested in DeMar DeRozan. Once the Peyton Watson multi-team trade became official, Denver ramped up its pursuit of the former All-Star.
Apparently, according to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Denver's interest in DeRozan was already known back in February. Aaron Gordon and assistant coach Jared Dudley, who has past ties with DeRozan, took the lead in the recruitment process.
"The Nuggets have been monitoring DeRozan’s situation in Sacramento dating back to February, when they were prepared to pursue him on the buyout market if the Kings had released him then," the report indicated. "When he became a free agent this summer, Denver put together a sustained recruitment that involved players, coaches and executives, one source close to DeRozan said.
"Aaron Gordon and assistant coach Jared Dudley were two of the key individuals with prior relationships to DeRozan who spoke with him in recent weeks."
Pistons, Pelicans were also interested in DeMar DeRozan
The Miami Heat and Washington Wizards were among the other known suitors for DeMar DeRozan before the six-time All-Star ultimately joined the Denver Nuggets. With Denver now securing his services, two other teams that previously showed interest are left looking for alternatives.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the New Orleans Pelicans were also in the mix for the DeRozan sweepstakes. And per Sam Amick and Law Murray of The Athletic, the Detroit Pistons also expressed interest in the possibility of signing the former NBA star.
In the end, DeRozan chose to commit himself to the Nuggets and try to compete for his first NBA title while remaining in the Western Conference.