Nuggets Land 6x All-Star DeRozan on Stunning 1-Year Steal
DeMar DeRozan Joins the Denver Nuggets: A Simple Breakdown
Who Is DeMar DeRozan?
Imagine a basketball player who has been one of the best scorers in the NBA for almost two decades. That’s DeMar DeRozan. Here’s the quick version:
- Six-time All-Star (picked as one of the league’s top players six times)
- 17th NBA season – he’s been playing pro basketball since 2009
- Age 37 – a veteran who still plays at a high level
- Career teams: Toronto Raptors (9 years), San Antonio Spurs (3 years), Chicago Bulls (3 years), Sacramento Kings (1 year), and now the Denver Nuggets
Key Point: DeRozan is known for his mid-range shooting (scoring from the area just inside the three-point line) and incredible durability – he rarely misses games.
The New Deal with the Nuggets
On Friday, DeRozan agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.9 million with the Denver Nuggets. Here’s what that means in plain English:
| Detail | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Contract length | 1 year only – he’ll be a free agent again next summer |
| Salary | $3.9 million – a big drop from his previous $25.7 million deal, but he chose role and winning over money |
| Why one year? | Gives him flexibility; lets him chase a championship now and re-evaluate later |
Why Denver? The Recruitment & Fit
The Nuggets didn’t just wait for him to call – they actively recruited him. Here’s how they sold him on the move:
- Play alongside Nikola Jokić – the three-time MVP and best passing big man in the game
- Partner with Jamal Murray – a clutch scorer and playoff performer
- Be the “extra playmaker” – Denver needed another guy who can create shots for himself and others
- Veteran leadership – after trading young wing Peyton Watson to Cleveland (part of a four-team trade), the Nuggets needed experience in the backcourt
Key Point: DeRozan isn’t just a scorer – he’s a willing passer who makes teammates better. That fits perfectly next to Jokić’s genius.
Other Teams That Wanted Him
DeRozan didn’t sign with the first team that called. He talked to multiple teams before choosing Denver:
- Miami Heat – Strong mutual interest; Bam Adebayo recruited him all summer
- Washington Wizards – A rebuilding team where he could have a huge role
- New Orleans Pelicans – Another Western Conference contender
Why not Miami?
The Heat made Klay Thompson their top priority. Once Thompson clears waivers (after a buyout with Dallas), Miami is expected to sign him instead. So DeRozan moved on.
The Kings’ Decision to Waive Him
Before becoming a free agent, DeRozan was on the Sacramento Kings. Here’s what happened:
- The Kings needed to cut salary (get under the luxury tax)
- DeRozan’s contract had only $10 million guaranteed out of $25.7 million for 2026‑27
- So Sacramento waived him (released him) – making him a free agent who could sign anywhere
Key Point: Being “waived” doesn’t mean a player is bad – it’s often a business decision about team finances.
DeRozan’s Impressive Track Record (By the Numbers)
Even at 37, DeRozan was one of the most reliable players in the league last season:
| Stat | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 18.4 points per game | Still a go-to scorer |
| ~50% shooting | Extremely efficient for a mid-range specialist |
| Played all but 5 games | Incredible durability |
| 5 straight seasons with 70+ games | Rare reliability in today’s NBA |
| 12 straight seasons averaging 20+ PPG (before last year) | Elite consistency |
Playoff history:
- Made playoffs 5 straight years with Toronto
- Only 1 playoff appearance with Chicago
- 0 playoff wins since 2018 – a major reason he wants to join a contender like Denver
What This Means for the Nuggets
Denver just added a proven, durable, high-IQ scorer who:
- Takes pressure off Murray and Jokić
- Can close games with his signature mid-range game
- Brings playoff experience (104 career playoff games)
- Costs very little against the salary cap ($3.9M)
Potential lineup fit:
Murray – DeRozan – Michael Porter Jr. – Aaron Gordon – Jokić
That’s five players who can pass, shoot, and score – a nightmare for defenses.
Summary
- DeMar DeRozan, a 37-year-old six-time All-Star, signed a 1-year, $3.9M deal with the Denver Nuggets.
- He chose Denver over Miami, Washington, and New Orleans because of fit, role, and championship chance.
- The Nuggets get a veteran playmaker who complements Jokić and Murray perfectly.
- DeRozan remains highly efficient and durable – he played 77 games last year at age 37.
- This is a low-risk, high-reward move for a Denver team trying to return to the Finals.
FAQ
Q: Why did DeRozan take so much less money?
A: He prioritized winning a championship and a defined role on a contender over a bigger paycheck on a rebuilding team.
Q: What does “waived” mean?
A: It means the Kings released him from his contract before it was fully guaranteed. He still gets paid the guaranteed portion ($10M), but becomes a free agent.
Q: How does DeRozan fit with Nikola Jokić?
A: Jokić is the best passing center ever. DeRozan excels at moving without the ball and finishing in the mid-range – exactly where Jokić’s passes often arrive.
Q: Is DeRozan washed at 37?
A: Not at all. He shot ~50%, averaged 18.4 PPG, and missed only 5 games last season. He’s lost some athleticism but gained craft and IQ.
Q: What happens after this one-year deal?
A: DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. He could re-sign with Denver, chase a ring elsewhere, or retire – his choice.
Information sourced from ESPN and The Associated Press.