The Denver Nuggets could have lost out on the sweepstakes to land LeBron James. But that actually hasn’t stopped them from pursuing different high-level veteran free brokers on a minimal deal.
The latest title to be linked as a possible goal for the Nuggets? Six-time All-Star ahead DeMar DeRozan.
According to current intel from ESPN‘s Shams Charania, the Nuggets, together with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, are amongst these in signing DeRozan, one of many high names left remaining on the free agent market.
Updates from @shamscharania:
– Heat, Nuggets, Cavs amongst groups in DeMar DeRozan
– Heat amongst “several championship contending teams” monitoring Klay Thompson’s standing
– Lakers, Cavs stay in sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) July 27, 2026
DeRozan, who’s been left up for grabs because the Sacramento Kings agreed to waive the multiple-time All-Star earlier this offseason, has been considered as extra of a contingency plan for many who have been in bringing LeBron aboard their respective rosters, but have been unable to safe the deal.
And contemplating the three groups just lately linked in the hunt for DeRozan––the Nuggets, Heat, and Cavaliers––have been all inside the combine for LeBron to a point, it is sensible as to why they seem to be on the entrance of the road to try to add the 36-year-old to their roster.
Does it make sense for the Nuggets to aggressively go after him? There’s a case to be had for it, even when it might not seem like DeRozan could not match their roster wants on the floor.
Why the Nuggets Might Be Interested in DeMar DeRozan
When trying on the Nuggets’ present roster building, you won’t assume that DeRozan provides up as somebody that Denver needs to be pursuing.
He provides one other ahead to the rotation when the Nuggets might as a substitute use one other guard, would not fairly carry Denver’s ceiling on the defensive finish, and contemplating David Adelman was vocal on the finish of final season advocating for the crew to add athleticism and ball-handling, DeRozan won’t be the primary title you consider to carry both to the desk.
So if the Nuggets had two roster spots to fill out earlier than subsequent season––which would include Peyton Watson and one other player––DeRozan’s hypothetical spot might be higher utilized by including one other participant with a unique talent set.
On the opposite, DeRozan does provide one thing that the Nuggets in explicit might take curiosity in main into subsequent season: a proficient participant who could be prepared to come in on a veteran minimal deal.
Everyone is aware of that the Nuggets are strapped for money. They simply signed Spencer Jones to a brand new two-year, $12 million deal that places Denver effectively into the tax and likewise above the second apron line. If they have been to carry anybody else to the roster outdoors of Watson, it’d have to be by way of a veteran minimal contract.
DeRozan would possibly simply be the perfect participant accessible on the free agent market who’d be prepared to signal a contract like that. He’s contemporary off a strong 12 months in Sacramento, the place he averaged 18.4 factors, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 49.7% from the sphere.
If something, DeRozan might be an interesting sixth man for the Nuggets to add into their rotation following the departure of Tim Hardaway Jr., hope that he can mesh effectively with Denver’s offense and work off of Nikola Jokic, and elevate Denver’s second unit that now appears to be like comparatively shallow in contrast to subsequent 12 months.
That additionally would rely upon the Nuggets presenting a greater pitch to DeRozan that two different attention-grabbing suitors in the East like Miami and Cleveland, or some other crew that comes out from the shadows with curiosity in the veteran ahead.
At the very least, DeRozan now turns into a reputation to hold tabs on for Nuggets followers, and might be an surprising, however welcomed reply for his or her bench wants this coming season on a short-term, low-cost deal.
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