DeMar DeRozan is still one of the biggest names sitting in free agency, and the latest update has only kept the Miami Heat in the mix.
The 17-year veteran is now available after the Sacramento Kings waived him, clearing the path for DeRozan to pick his next stop as he looks to land with a team that can chase a title. He has spent the last few seasons away from legitimate playoff contenders, but the goal now is simple: find a roster where he can make a real impact.
“The Sacramento Kings have waived DeMar DeRozan, the team announced Monday, making the six-time All-Star one of the top free agents on the market. DeRozan had a partial guarantee on his contract for next season, but he and Sacramento worked on his release to allow him to find a new home. Multiple contenders are expected to have interest in the veteran guard," ESPN wrote.
Miami has been tied to DeRozan for a while, and that connection doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The Heat have long been viewed as a possible landing spot, and one reporter said they may still be the strongest fit.
“Miami Heat have been a Derozan landing spot for years now, there's been so much connectivity between him and the Heat and I do think the Heat seem to be the most likely scenario for DeMar DeRozan right now…Miami is probably his best bet…those other spots really don't have spending power," The Stein Line's Jake Fischer said.
Even with Miami near the top of the list, no deal has come together yet. Free agency has slowed down, and DeRozan doesn’t appear to be under any real pressure to decide immediately.
“This is generally the slowest time of the year and there’s no urgency for DeMar to find a spot,” reported Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. “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.”
That pace makes sense with teams still sorting out their final roster spots. For the Heat, adding another proven scorer would bring more punch on offense, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo already on the roster.
DeRozan’s value is obvious on that end of the floor. He would give Miami another reliable bucket-getter, and while his defense has limitations, the Heat already have enough strong defenders to help cover for that part of his game.
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