Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward/guard DeMar DeRozan (10) gestures between plays against the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
While most of the biggest names are already off the board, several prominent names remain available on the free agent market. One such player is veteran swingman DeMar DeRozan, who was recently waived by the Kings after just two seasons with the team.
At 37, DeRozan is in the twilight of his career, but he still has preferences on where he’ll end up. According to the latest intel from NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Denver Nuggets have emerged on his shortlist of destinations, as they have expressed a willingness to add him with what little flexibility they have. The only catch is that they are not the only team in pursuit.
“The Nuggets hold interest in signing veteran swingman DeMar DeRozan to a minimum contract,” wrote Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. “To this point, DeRozan has been assessing the market for teams with part of or all of their mid-level exception available. The Heat, who have $8.9 million remaining in their MLE, are a team DeRozan would have high interest in joining if they offered him this remaining amount. It doesn’t appear as if DeRozan wants to take a minimum contract after being waived by the Kings.”
DeRozan, 37, has played for four different teams over his NBA career. While nothing will top his tenure with the Raptors, he still has more time to give on the court, and he’s determined to make the most of it.
Coming from the Kings, where he was an afterthought, DeRozan wants the chance to play meaningful games and end his career on a high note. To date, he’s never actually won the NBA championship, and the feat remains one of his biggest goals for the last act of his career.
With averages of 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 49.7% shooting from the field, DeMar can still play at a high level, and his skillset would be especially valuable in the right situation. The question is, are the Nuggets the best fit?
With Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, they have a core that can compete against anyone. They also have a strong supporting cast that includes experienced veterans and explosive young players. Last season, amid various injuries, they still finished third in the West at 54-28 before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
With teammates like that, it would be easy for DeRozan to fit, and it would make sense for the Nuggets to add him as a potential replacement for Peyton Watson, who has yet to sign an extension. As a veteran forward who can score within the flow of an offense, he can slide into the starting lineup without disrupting their typical rhythm and game plan. For the veteran’s minimum, there’s really nothing to lose by signing DeRozan, but it remains to be seen where he’ll end up when it’s all said and done.
If he wants the greatest odds for success, he would be hard-pressed to find a better choice than the Nuggets, who have everything he needs to thrive at the end of his career.