DeMar DeRozan is suddenly one of the more interesting names still sitting in the free-agent market, and the Washington Wizards have emerged as a team to watch.
The 36-year-old wing is on the move after reaching a buyout agreement with the Sacramento Kings, and his next stop is already drawing attention around the league. Shams Charania said on NBA Today that several teams are in the mix, with Washington now part of the conversation.
“Another top player available is DeMar DeRozan. The Cavaliers are among a few teams that have interest in him,” reported Shams Charania on NBA Today.
“Miami and Denver are also pursuing DeRozan. One new team over the last few days that has had some conversations with DeMar DeRozan: the Washington Wizards.
You think about a team that’s clearly trying to compete around Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and AJ Dybantsa.”
DeRozan isn’t the player who once powered Toronto through years of regular playoff runs, but he still brings real production. Last season, he averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. That kind of line still carries weight, especially for a team looking for a steady veteran who can score and help set the tone.
The fit in Miami makes obvious sense on a minimum deal, but Washington has its own case. The Wizards are trying to build something with a mix of established names and young talent, and DeRozan could give them another proven scorer who knows how to handle pressure and bring edge to a locker room.
The current group in Washington starts with Trae Young at point guard, where his scoring and playmaking are expected to drive the offense. Anthony Davis gives the roster a 10x All-Star and NBA champion in the middle of it all, with optimism that he can anchor the defense despite the injury concerns that have followed him.
Then there’s the youth movement. AJ Dybantsa, the 2026 first overall pick, is coming off a strong Summer League showing that has people believing he can contribute right away.
Alex Sarr is described as the team’s rising big man and a possible successor to Davis, while Bilal Coulibaly is expected to keep climbing after three seasons in Washington. Kyshawn George and Bub Carrington are also in line for major rotation minutes.
If DeRozan is chasing the simplest route to a championship, he probably has better options. But if he wants a place where he can help win now and still be part of something that’s being built for later, the Wizards are very much in the mix.
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General manager Will Dawkins made clear Washington intended to keep Davis, and the asking price reportedly sat so high that it complicated Golden States plans from the start. With the Warriors unable to make that move, one of the leagues biggest summer pursuits lost momentum, leaving Washingtons stance on Davis with ripple effects well beyond its own roster. [Read more 🡒]
Wizards Contender Plan May Come Down To One AJ Dybantsa Question
Washingtons long-range math is already shaping the way the front office is being judged, because the pieces around AJ Dybantsa and Trae Young are supposed to turn a promising core into something much bigger. Dybantsa arrived as a top draft pick with real scoring polish and the kind of upside that can change a franchises trajectory, but the Wizards also know that raw talent only goes so far if the floor stays crowded. For a team trying to climb into the Eastern Conference picture, the jumper is no longer a side note. It is part of the plan.
Anthony Davis gives Washington a second star, but he also underscores the concern that hangs over the roster construction. The Wizards are betting on enough shot-making and enough spacing to make the whole thing work, yet there are real questions about how many of their best players can consistently stretch defenses. Dybantsas development from dangerous scorer to reliable perimeter threat may end up being the swing skill, and the answer to that question could determine whether Washingtons contender talk is realistic or just premature optimism. [Read more 🡒]