DeMar DeRozan is back on the market, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are right in the mix.
The Sacramento Kings waived the six-time All-Star on Monday, opening the door for several contenders to chase one of the most accomplished veterans still available in free agency. ESPN reported that DeRozan and Sacramento worked on his release despite a partial guarantee on his contract for next season, making him one of the top names left to be signed.
Interest has been quick to build. ESPN’s Shams Charania said, “I'm told Miami, Denver, and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan… There is a player out west that is overlapping with DeRozan as far as interest from teams,".
For Cleveland, the fit is obvious. The Cavaliers are still hunting for a starting wing, and DeRozan would give them a proven scorer who can help cover that gap. SI’s John Hobbs pointed to the financial angle too, calling him an affordable veteran option for a roster dealing with expensive salary concerns.
“With the Cavs carrying the burden of an expensive roster and heavy salary issues, the addition of DeRozan gives Cleveland an affordable option as a seasoned veteran. Having been waived by the Kings, it’s said that DeRozan could be the best available free agent on the market right now, and the 17-year NBA professional still has gas left in the tank at a low cost,” Hobbs wrote.
The Cavaliers could use that kind of help, especially if they come up short on Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga. They have talent on the roster already, but DeRozan would check off one of the biggest remaining needs and add another established weapon to the offense.
Cleveland’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals also gives it a strong pitch. DeRozan is a future Hall of Famer looking for a real contender, and the Cavaliers can offer that chance.
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Kings Schedule Sets Up One Clear Test Of This Rebuild
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For a team still trying to climb back into the leagues upper-middle tier, those games matter because they strip away the noise. The Clippers offer a clear benchmark, and Sacramento will see them multiple times as the season unfolds, with other Western matchups sprinkled throughout the calendar. Compared with the previous season, the schedule looks a bit more manageable, which gives the Kings a better runway, but the real story will be whether they can use those chances to turn a rebuilding year into something sturdier. [Read more 🡒]