Insider Reveals Key Influences Behind DeMar DeRozan’s Nuggets Move

The Denver Nuggets have made a smart move. They spent much of the offseason looking for a player who can create his own shot, and they have finally found one. Veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan was encouraged to join Nikola Jokic’s team on a short-term, veteran minimum contract for his 18th season in the NBA.

But Denver’s interest in DeRozan did not suddenly emerge during free agency. They had an eye on him in Sacramento for months and were prepared to make a move if the Kings bought him out. Once DeRozan became available this summer, it was only a matter of time before Denver made a serious push to bring him to Colorado. The Nuggets’ approach, though, was not necessarily formal.

“When he became a free agent this summer, Denver put together a sustained recruitment that involved players, coaches and executives,” a source told The Denver Post. “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.”

Denver was not alone in pursuing DeRozan. Miami, Detroit and Cleveland also remained involved during his free-agency process. In the end, however, the Nuggets’ “recruiting effort” made the strongest impression. And the 37-year-old reportedly prioritized basketball fit over chasing the biggest contract available.

Financially, the move turned out favorable for Denver. DeRozan will make $3.9 million from the Nuggets while still collecting the $10 million guaranteed to him by Sacramento. The Kings waived him in July after his previous contract, which was set to pay him $25.7 million this season, became only partially guaranteed.

For Denver, the signing comes at a relatively small cost against the salary cap. DeRozan’s addition is expected to increase the Nuggets’ cap by only about $2.45 million, a super-valuable outcome for a team operating with one of the league’s most expensive payrolls. There is still a problem, though.

The Nuggets are still $4 million above the second apron with a roster spot still vacant. Denver’s priority, however, would be to offload a smaller earner like Zeke Nnaji to further lighten the books. They wouldn’t be worried about running with an incomplete roster because they did so for most of last season with 14 players.

The Nuggets’ offseason hunt was to bring in more ball-handling and shot creation to take some pressure off Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Denver’s interest in LeBron James was another indication of that priority. The need became even more pressing after Denver recently sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade completed Thursday.

What does DeMar DeRozan bring to the Nuggets?

DeMar DeRozan gives the Nuggets experience on the court and the ability to take over possessions when Nikola Jokic is being doubled or when Jamal Murray needs a breather. Last season, the 6x All-Star averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists per game for Sacramento while shooting 49.7% from the field.

DeRozan remains an elite mid-range shooter. He made a league-leading 3.0 non-paint 2s per game at a 47.6 percent rate last season, according to The Athletic.

Crucially, the veteran’s durability has remained impressive well into his 30s. He has played in at least 85% of his team’s regular-season games for 11 straight seasons and has missed only 13 games over the past three years. He is only one of four players to play at least 74 games in each of the last five seasons. Mikal Bridges, Harrison Barnes, and Royce O’Neale occupy the bracket.

DeRozan’s contributions off the glass, however, have plummeted, but that can be attributed to his age. He averaged only 2.9 rebounds last season, the fewest since his rookie year.

Now, there could be an unusual adjustment waiting for him. DeRozan has started every regular-season game he has played since April 14, 2010, a major streak stretching back to his rookie season. If Denver asks him to embrace a bench role, it would mark the first time in more than 16 years that he plays as a reserve.

There is a high possibility that DeRozan doesn’t find a spot in the starting 5. That’s simply because Denver aims to plug the gaps when either Jokic or Murray is not on the floor. With Tim Hardaway and Peyton Watson no longer on the roster, DeRozan and Spencer Jones will likely serve as mainstays, but on the second unit.

The bigger question, though, is whether his arrival can translate to postseason success. Since winning the Championship in 2023, the Nuggets have an uninspiring 16-16 record. They haven’t made it past the second round even once.

Here’s where a slight issue crops up…

DeRozan has not played in the playoffs since 2022, when Chicago was eliminated in the opening round. He has also only played in 12 playoff games since the Toronto Raptors traded him to the San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan’s last postseason series win came in 2018.

There’s no denying that DeRozan brings unmatchable durability and attacking prowess to the Nuggets. But the question is whether he can really strike while the iron is hot.