NBA Rumors: DeMar DeRozan's Future Depends on LeBron James
Teams like Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, or Cleveland Cavaliers want the 4-time league MVP, but they might have to settle for the former player of Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, and Sacramento Kings.
DeMar DeRozan is now on the free agent market after the Sacramento Kings decided to part ways with his services. The six-time NBA All-Star is poised to attract interest from several teams, although he may have to wait for LeBron James to make a decision about his future before finding his next destination, according to NBA journalist Brett Siegel from ClutchPoints.
" DeRozan is currently a kind of plan B for some of these teams waiting on LeBron James," Siegel explained on the Clutch Scoops program. "You have the Miami Heat. DeMar has long been interested in going to Miami, and there are rumors that he is a player on their radar. The Golden State Warriors are a team that will have internal discussions about the possibility of pursuing DeMar DeRozan. Then there are the Cleveland Cavaliers. If they don't land LeBron, he could fit in perfectly there alongside Donovan Mitchell and James Harden."
Miami, Golden State, and Cleveland emerge as potential destinations
ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst expressed a similar opinion on Wednesday and highlighted the indirect relationship between DeRozan's future and the decision LeBron James makes.
" DeRozan is connected to LeBron James in an unusual way," Windhorst pointed out. "I believe some of the teams waiting for an answer from LeBron James, like Miami, could also be interested in DeRozan if LeBron doesn't end up there. So, we need to pay attention to how LeBron's decision impacts DeMar DeRozan's decision. Will DeRozan be willing to wait? That's what we're waiting to find out."
A veteran scorer despite a challenging last season
Last season, DeRozan took a back seat while playing for a Kings team that finished with the fifth worst record in the league.
Nevertheless, the player, who is nearing 37 years old, could be valuable to a title-contending team due to his experience and proven scoring ability. DeRozan averaged 20.3 points and 4.3 assists with shooting percentages of 48.6% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 86.2% from the free-throw line over his 154 games with Sacramento in the last two seasons.
Additionally, he has played 63 playoff games throughout his career and could provide a veteran and reassuring presence on offense for several teams eyeing postseason contention.
His market value could ease his landing with any team
The economic forecast for his upcoming contract adds another element of interest to the race for his services. The 17-season veteran does not expect to receive an offer above the veteran minimum salary, allowing him to sign with almost any team, according to Jake Fischer.
" His outcome will be a domino effect of what happens with LeBron James. If he doesn't go to Golden State, which doesn't seem likely at the moment, then the Warriors, I believe, will seriously consider bringing DeMar in on some sort of veteran minimum deal," Fischer explained.
" If LeBron doesn't go to Miami, DeMar DeRozan, from what I understand, has always had an interest in going to Miami... I don't think there will be a big market for DeMar to get anything above the veteran minimum," he added.
LeBron James's decision could thus become a key piece in defining the next chapter of DeMar DeRozan's career.
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