DeMar DeRozan is still on the board, and the market around him keeps getting more crowded.
The six-time All-Star became available after the Sacramento Kings waived him, opening the door for one of the biggest names left in free agency to pick his next stop. ESPN reported that Sacramento waived DeRozan on Monday and that the sides worked on the release so he could land elsewhere, noting that “Multiple contenders are expected to have interest in the veteran guard.”
For now, though, there’s no sign DeRozan is in a hurry. Doug Smith of the Toronto Star said, “This is generally the slowest time of the year and there's no urgency for DeMar to find a spot," and added, "I still think Brooklyn, Miami, Portland and Denver are interesting spots where he'd fit. There's just no sense anyone's in any rush."
Miami and Denver were already in the conversation, and Marc Stein of The Stein Line added Washington to the list. He wrote, “The Wizards shifted their intent to sign another veteran this offseason by showing some interest in DeMar DeRozan, pursuing the former All-Star swingman along with teams such as Miami and Denver,”
That gives DeRozan another option as he weighs his next move. The Nuggets and Heat have the appeal of teams with real contention hopes heading into next season, while Washington is still trying to build out its roster.
DeRozan has earned $305 million over his career, and the longer this drags on, the more the fit - and the timing - matter. The Wizards have acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis, but they still haven’t shown they can compete at the highest level as a group, which only adds another layer to a decision that now has several contenders in the mix.
In Other News...
Colorado Gets A Rare Homecoming Spotlight With NBA Stars Returning
Colorado fans will get a rare NBA showcase at the CU Events Center on Oct. 4, when the Nuggets and Jazz meet there during Colorados Homecoming Weekend. The preseason game adds an extra layer of local interest beyond the normal exhibition calendar, giving the Buffaloes home arena a chance to host a pro stage while the universitys campus is already buzzing for the weekend.
The storyline gets even better with a pair of recent Colorado draftees set to take part, as Cody Williams and KJ Simpson return to Boulder in NBA uniforms for opposing teams. It also comes at a time when discussions about possible renovations to the CU Events Center continue, making the night feel like both a homecoming and a reminder of how much the building still matters to the schools basketball identity. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Face A Costly Peyton Watson Decision They Can't Avoid
Peyton Watsons next contract is already shaping up as one of the more delicate negotiations on the Nuggets roster. Denver is trying to keep a young, versatile piece in place, but the backdrop here is simple: the front office has been forced to navigate every new deal with an eye on past financial choices, and Watsons camp knows the market for players in his lane has moved upward.
The Nuggets have put forward a four-year proposal worth about $70 million, but Watson is pushing for a higher annual average and wants to be paid in the same neighborhood as Christian Brauns recent extension. For Denver, the challenge is less about whether Watson matters and more about how far the team is willing, or able, to stretch before the numbers start reshaping the roster around him. [Read more 🡒]