3 Teams Emerge As Frontrunners In DeMar DeRozan Sweepstakes

Nearly three weeks into free agency, the market was primarily held up by LeBron James, who was pondering his next destination. Now that James is headed to the Philadelphia 76ers, the market is likely to see movement again. For players like DeMar DeRozan, this is big news.

DeMar DeRozan was widely viewed as one of the major free agents on the market after the Sacramento Kings waived him in the first week of July. As an elite veteran scorer, DeRozan garnered considerable interest from teams that were also in pursuit of LeBron James.

Since James’ signing, there haven’t been many rumblings about DeRozan, barring his links to the Miami Heat. However, during a recent episode of “NBA Today,” ESPN’s Shams Charania provided a more decisive update on the 36-year-old.

“Probably the biggest named guy right now: DeMar DeRozan. Six-time All-Star. I’m told Miami, Denver, and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan. A scorer, a playmaker, a clutch performer down the stretch in games.”

As Charania mentioned, teams like the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers have shown an interest in DeMar DeRozan. With specific reference to the Heat, however, rumors have indicated that Miami has also been linked to Klay Thompson, who has been identified as a priority for them.

Aside from these two teams, the mention of the Denver Nuggets is relatively new.

Each team that Charania mentioned in his report has a fair shot at landing DeMar DeRozan. Given that he is 36 and was waived, it is safe to assume that he will receive a relatively low-cost deal. With a veteran minimum deal looking likely, each of the aforementioned teams is in a solid position to sign the veteran scorer.

Therefore, with three potential destinations on the horizon, we examine which team would be an ideal landing spot for the six-time All-Star.

Are the Cavaliers A Realistic Landing Spot For DeMar DeRozan?

For the Cavaliers, adding DeMar DeRozan could be quite meaningful. After an impressive run in the playoffs, Cleveland showcased its potential to contend in the East. With a core led by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, the Cavaliers are promising. However, they need upgrades.

This offseason has been a difficult one for Cleveland, especially after missing out on LeBron James. Still, with a payroll of $187.2 million, the Cavaliers have enough flexibility to make the necessary moves.

In many ways, signing DeRozan makes sense. Aside from his scoring upside, DeRozan is also a formidable player in clutch situations who boasts solid playmaking skills. Given that he averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 49.7% shooting from the field, the Cavs may see great value in acquiring him.

On paper, acquiring DeRozan should not be a challenge, especially since a vet minimum deal would cost about $3.9 million. The bigger issue, however, is their pending contract negotiation with James Harden, which could effectively decide how much flexibility they really have.

Additionally, with the Cavs signing Mario Hezonja and still displaying interest in a young prospect like Jonathan Kuminga, the franchise may not see as much long-term value in signing an aging star like DeRozan. Thus, the Cavaliers only seem like a realistic landing spot if Cleveland comes up short in landing Kuminga.

Could The Heat Be A Better Destination?

DeMar DeRozan has been linked to the Miami Heat for a long time. For extended portions of last year’s offseason, rumors suggested that the six-time All-Star was angling for a move to Miami. Although no such trade materialized, it appears that the interest in going to South Beach remains.

Recent reports indicate a mutual interest between the Heat and DeRozan in teaming up this offseason. This would largely hint at positive outcomes. However, since Miami is prioritizing Klay Thompson’s addition, any news on this front may be delayed until Thompson’s contract is bought out by the Mavericks, which also seems unlikely.

Theoretically, adding DeMar DeRozan may also not be in Miami’s best interest. Although the 36-year-old remains an effective scorer, it is worth noting that he shot only 32.0% from three-point range last season. Given the Heat’s current roster makeup, adding a reliable perimeter threat is a greater priority than an experienced mid-range scorer. Hence, adding DeRozan does not seem very fitting.

The Nuggets Could Offer A Better Role

The Denver Nuggets are a team facing severe salary cap issues ($220.2 million payroll) at the moment. Now, after matching the offer sheet for Spencer Jones, the Nuggets seem to have pushed themselves further into a corner.

As the only team projected to be above the second tax apron, Denver has very little flexibility in making roster moves. Since they intend to retain Peyton Watson, it seems inevitable for the franchise to offload some contracts. In a twisted way, this could create an ideal scenario for DeRozan.

If the Nuggets offload players like Christian Braun or Cam Johnson to clear cap room, they will need to bring in another player capable of contributing on offense. Along with what he brings to the table as a scorer, DeRozan’s availability at a discounted price may be even more enticing for the Nuggets, who are also reeling from losing Tim Hardaway Jr. this summer.

In the Nuggets’ case, signing DeRozan would only be possible after several conditions are met. However, once the team completes these moves, adding a player like the 36-year-old would significantly boost their offense.

Regardless of their circumstances, it is virtually impossible to count Denver out as a contender. Given the sheer opportunity to thrive, DeRozan may also see merit in facilitating a move to the Nuggets.