The Miami Heat spent much of the summer trying to piece together the right mix around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that process left them with one last opening to sort out as the offseason wound down. DeMar DeRozan was in the picture for a while, but the veteran wing ultimately landed with the Denver Nuggets instead.
DeRozan, a 17-year veteran, had stayed in contact with Miami throughout the summer and was viewed as a possible fit. In the end, though, he chose Denver on a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum.
“The Nuggets signed DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum, per Shams Charania. DeRozan will now fill the void left behind by Peyton Watson in Denver's wing rotation," NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
Miami’s situation changed over the weekend when Klay Thompson was bought out by the Dallas Mavericks and agreed to join the Heat. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, “Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN,” and that move appeared to settle the Heat’s starting plan.
A Heat insider suggested that decision may have helped push DeRozan away. “Believe the Heat will start Klay, and believe that played into Klay’s interest in the Heat. In fact, among the reasons that DeMar DeRozan turned away from the Heat might have been the writing on the wall that Klay would take that final Heat starting spot,” Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman wrote.
That makes the fit easier to understand. DeRozan would have given Miami another offensive option, but he is not the kind of three-point shooter the Heat were still looking for. Thompson, by contrast, brings the kind of floor spacing that can work around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
The difference in roles mattered too. DeRozan still sees himself as a starter, and that expectation may have been a major factor in his decision to head to Denver rather than Miami.
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