DeMar DeRozan is suddenly one of the more intriguing names on the market, and the Indiana Pacers can at least make a case for themselves if he’s willing to take a discount.
The Sacramento Kings waived the 17-year veteran on July 6, 2026, which made him an unrestricted free agent and opened the door for him to sign with any of the other 29 franchises. He’ll be 37 before the season starts, but he’s still producing at a level that keeps teams interested. The former No. 9 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft has been a steady scorer for a long time, and that kind of shot-making always travels.
DeRozan originally landed in Sacramento in the summer of 2024 because he wanted to go back home and play in the sunshine state. Early buzz pointed toward the Clippers as a possible landing spot if the Kings moved on from him, especially with Kawhi Leonard - the superstar he was once traded for - in the picture.
But with Kawhi expected to extend in Toronto after being dealt last week for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and first-round picks, the conversation has shifted. Now there’s growing speculation that DeRozan could return to the team that drafted him and reconnect with longtime teammate Kyle Lowry.
That would make for a great story in Toronto, but it’s far from the only possible outcome. DeRozan is going to draw attention elsewhere, and for good reason: he has averaged 18 points per game or more every season since 2012-13.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’d give any team a real scoring punch. At this stage, though, winning matters most to him, and most of the teams interested in him won’t be able to offer more than the veterans minimum of $4.07M.
That’s where Indiana enters the picture.
The Pacers don’t currently have the cap space to sign DeRozan after adding Kelly Oubre Jr., but there is a path. Waiving Micah Potter’s $2.8M non-guaranteed contract would get Indiana $4.4M away from the first apron, which is enough room to bring in DeRozan on the veterans minimum for a player with 10+ years of experience.
The move would leave the Pacers with the required 14 players, though it would also trim their center depth from three players to two. If Indiana added DeRozan and Oubre Jr., it would also make little sense to keep both Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard on the roster. That could push the Pacers toward moving one of them, ideally in a deal that brings back a center.
From Indiana’s side, the appeal is pretty clear. The Pacers want to win now, and DeRozan still gives you a bucket-getter who can steady an offense when things get messy. He’s not a dead-eye three-point shooter, but he remains an elite scorer and would bring more bench scoring than anyone else on the roster.
He also gives the Pacers lineup flexibility. DeRozan can play the two, the three, and even the small-ball four.
His defense isn’t on Oubre Jr.’s level, but he brings something else: passing. He’s averaged 4.1 assists for his career, which gives Indiana another creator who can make life easier for everyone around him.
There’s a catch, though. The fit wouldn’t be seamless.
Indiana plays a style that’s different from what DeRozan is used to, and his minutes would likely be limited compared with what he could find elsewhere. Still, if the Pacers are looking for a low-cost swing, this is the kind of move that makes sense on paper.
I don’t see DeRozan ending up in Indiana this offseason, but if he’s willing to take the veterans minimum, the Pacers could make it happen. They can offer a balanced roster, a reunion with Pascal Siakam, and a chance to chase a championship after the back half of his career has been spent on less talented teams.
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