DeMar DeRozan’s free agency took him into the Pelicans’ orbit before he landed in Denver.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that DeRozan spoke with New Orleans, along with the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards, before choosing to sign with the Nuggets. The veteran forward ended up in Denver on a $3.9 million deal, a price point that fits the range New Orleans has been working in this offseason.
The Pelicans have been connected to a number of moves over the summer without actually getting many of them across the finish line, and Joe Dumars has been open about the fact that they simply haven’t found the right deal. DeRozan was the latest name to surface as a possible fit, even if the fit never really looked clean.
At 37, DeRozan isn’t the player who once flirted with MVP-level production, but he still brings real value. He averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last season for the Sacramento Kings while shooting 49.7/32.0/86.8. That kind of scoring touch still matters, especially for a contender looking for offense when the stars sit.
For Denver, the move makes sense. DeRozan can step in and handle a heavy scoring load when Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray are off the floor, and his mid-range efficiency gives the Nuggets another dependable weapon.
For New Orleans, the picture was murkier. DeRozan would have been looking for a larger offensive role than the Pelicans could realistically offer, with Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones and Saddiq Bey already ahead of him in that mix. Micah Peavy and Bryce McGowens also would have given New Orleans enough at the forward spot for that kind of move.
In the end, Denver was the cleaner landing spot. New Orleans later signed Trendon Watford, a move that filled out the roster and brought in a player who offers less scoring punch than DeRozan but more versatility and a lower-maintenance fit overall.
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