The Denver Nuggets are considering a move for DeMar DeRozan after sending Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade on Wednesday. The Nuggets got Julian Reese on a two-way contract in return for Watson’s deal, but chose to waive the former Washington Wizards big man.
To fill the void in the wing spot left by Watson’s departure, Denver is pivoting to six-time NBA All-Star DeRozan, according to NBA on Prime and NBA TV insider Chris Haynes.
“The Denver Nuggets are pivoting and have their eyes directed on six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan who remains a free agent in demand for contenders, league sources tell me,” Haynes wrote on X.
The Sacramento Kings collaborated with DeMar DeRozan to waive him in July. Sacramento is heading into a rebuild, while DeRozan, 37, wanted to play on a contending team. Several teams have shown interest in the former Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls forward, but he remains unsigned.
After losing Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown Jr. in free agency, the Nuggets need bench depth and scoring, which DeRozan, even at this stage of his career, can offer. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists, shooting 49.7% from the field last season.
DeMar DeRozan wants exception money, but Nuggets believe they can land him: Reports
According to Miami Heat insider Barry Jackson, DeMar DeRozan wants to sign for an exception deal that could pay him slightly more than the veteran minimum. A midlevel exception can go up to $15 million, but teams can use parts of it to sign multiple players.
The Heat, for instance, have an $8 million midlevel exception available, which they plan to use on Klay Thompson.
“Miami could pay Thompson $8 million of its midlevel exception to supplement whatever potential buyout he takes from Dallas,” Jackson reported on Wednesday.
In the same report, he discussed DeRozan’s demands.
“The Heat has 12 players on standard deals; the 13th would go to Thompson if Dallas buys him out and he agrees to terms,” Jackson said. “The 14th could go to a center, with small forward Demar DeRozan and guard Gabe Vincent among others who have received consideration. But DeRozan wants exception money, and the Heat is holding that for Thompson.”
The Nuggets don’t have exception money left. They only have the veteran minimum to offer. However, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Denver believes it can convince DeRozan to sign.
“Covered Denver’s ongoing interest in DeMar DeRozan in the Sunday Best notes below and there is word tonight that the Nuggets believe they can make an appealing pitch to the former All-Star swingman to land him in free agency,” Stein wrote.
DeMar DeRozan might still consider himself a starter, so he will likely prefer to join a team that can offer him the role. However, if no team is willing to give him a starting job, DeRozan might settle for the team with the best offer.
If the offer is the same, it’ll likely come down to the prospects of contending for a title, and Denver might appear more appealing than a team like Miami.
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