It was going to be a pipe dream because it was, however it still hurts to miss out on LeBron James. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 23-year veteran determined to take his talents to Philadelphia as a member of the 76ers this go-around, leaving the Denver Nuggets nonetheless looking to fill out the roster. Their focus should now flip to a different probably minimum-salary free agent, 17-year veteran DeMar DeRozan. The six-time All-Star wing is clearly the finest offensive possibility and match for the Nuggets left on the desk.
This information means no extra hypothesis about what it may seem like to see Nikola Jokic and LeBron James enjoying alongside one another. No extra questioning about what number of lobs Joker would possibly toss to LeBron.
Advertisement
Instead, we will speculate about what DeRozan may like subsequent to Joker. It must be as a member of the second unit for the first time in his profession, however it’s an adjustment he is most likely going to need to make for any contender, and the Nuggets are not any totally different. But if the Nuggets have been in a position to persuade DeRozan to decide on Denver, they’d have an excellent backup plan to LeBron.
DeRozan makes for an excellent match off the bench
DeRozan began 77 video games for the Sacramento Kings in 2025-26 before being waived this summer season, enjoying 31.2 minutes as a starter. But he averaged “just” 18.4 factors, his lowest complete since 2012-2013.
However, he shot 49.7% from the ground, displaying that he is nonetheless received the mid-range and turnaround jumper sport that made him the All-Star he was. And DeRozan nonetheless received to the free-throw line 5.6 instances per sport, indicating he is nonetheless displaying athleticism and a downhill slashing sport attending to the rim.
Advertisement
That’s why he is the excellent LeBron backup target. DeRozan is a a lot better scorer than Tim Hardaway Jr., and if head coach David Adelman decides he wants to try out some form of a small-ball rotation, DeRozan can play at the 4 as an undersized wing, like he is completed throughout components of his profession.
That’s flexibility just like what LeBron has. It gives the Nuggets another choice after they construct out their rotation. Sure, DeRozan is not going to resolve the Nuggets’ defensive woes, however they signed Alpha Diallo to try to maintain that. DeRozan can choose up Diallo’s lack of offense, and Diallo can choose up DeRozan’s lack of protection. Boom, downside solved!
It would behoove the Nuggets to a minimum of entertain the concept. They will not discover a higher scoring possibility of their value vary with LeBron off the board.
Today’s finest reads
Advertisement
This article was initially revealed on www.nugglove.com as It’s crystal clear who the Nuggets’ LeBron James backup target should be.
