DeMar DeRozan’s free agency is heating up, with five NBA teams emerging as potential landing spots: the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards.
DeRozan averaged 18.4 PPG while shooting 49.7% from the field, 2.9 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, one steal per game, and 0.3 blocks per game this season. He played 77 games with the Sacramento Kings.
The Heat could be one of the best landing spots for DeRozan because he could have a significant role off the bench. He can be the focal point of the second unit for Miami, according to Spotrac and Front Office Show Contributor Keith Smith.
Miami can offer up to $8.9 million, but is also waiting on the Klay Thompson situation, according to Marc Stein from The Stein Line. They don’t think he would be more than the eighth or ninth man in their rotation, according to co-host on the Five on the Floor Podcast, Greg Sylvander.
DeRozan could be a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate for them and provide huge scoring on a championship run. Their hypothetical starting lineup could be Davion Mitchell, Tim Hardaway Jr., Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Cavaliers should consider signing DeRozan now that LeBron James is not available. He provides shot-making and playmaking they don’t have off the bench, but is it worth the sacrifice in spacing and being a significant negative defensively?
He and James Harden are long-time friends. Their hypothetical starting lineup could be Harden, Donovan Mitchell, DeMar, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. They need a small forward, and he is available.
The Nuggets have emerged as a suitor in the DeRozan sweepstakes. He is reportedly willing to sign a minimum contract with Denver if they offer one, according to Clutch Points NBA Insider Brett Siegel.
They are looking to add more scoring and experience to their roster after losing Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers. While it may be one of the best options for title contention, DeRozan would likely have to accept a minimum contract.
Their hypothetical starting lineup could include Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, DeRozan, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic. The organization has continued to pursue him as it looks to bolster its championship aspirations.
Initially, there is a lot of noise about a potential DeRozan reunion with the Raptors, according to Siegel. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer with plenty left in the tank.
The six-time All-Star would go back to the franchise where his NBA career began. Their hypothetical starting lineup could include Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, DeRozan, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl.
The Wizards are still in the mix to sign DeRozan after Russell Westbrook’s retirement. They can offer more money by paying up to $15 million for the wing, according to Siegel.
A strong case could be made that they may be the best spot for him. They would perhaps be the most underrated threat in the East. Their hypothetical starting lineup could include Trae Young, DeMar, AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis, and Alex Sarr.
Washington is my pick for DeRozan’s best fit, while Miami remains a strong potential landing spot. He could be a leader on and off the court for a team that expects to make a sizable jump during the 2026-27 season.
DeRozan return to Toronto seems unlikely at this stage, particularly due to their very delicate salary situation and the market options the player still has around the league. In recent days, rumors have also linked the veteran to Denver and Cleveland.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
