For roughly three weeks, DeMar DeRozan’s free agency was put on hold until LeBron James decided where he would take his talents next. After the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, the interest in DeRozan is ramping up.
According to NBA Shams Charania, at least three teams are pursuing the former Sacramento Kings star.
NBA Insider Shares Latest on DeMar DeRozan’s Free Agency After LeBron James Sweepstakes
The Kings waived DeRozan early this month to accommodate his request to play for a championship-contending team. Despite the three-time All-NBA’s credentials, his free agency didn’t get much traction until James chose his next team.
With James opting to go to Philly, NBA insider Shams Charania shared intel on Monday about the teams showing serious interest in the veteran.
“Probably the biggest-name guy right now, DeMar DeRozan, six-time All-Star. I’m told Miami, Denver, and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan, a scorer, playmaker, a clutch performer down the stretch. Two of those teams, the Cavs and the Heat, were interested in DeMar DeRozan,” Charania said.
REPORT: The Miami Heat are targeting DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson, per @ShamsCharania
“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. That is… pic.twitter.com/ChLZN7Zdqm
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 27, 2026
The Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers have long been linked to DeRozan as their fallback in case the four-time MVP snubs them. With Philly winning the James sweepstakes, they are reportedly going all-in on him.
One of the Heat’s biggest holes is a veteran playmaker, a role that DeRozan could fill. He could also bring a much-needed scoring boost to a team that will be anchored by frontline superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
The Cavaliers are an interesting fit since they already have Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and Jaylon Tyson coming off the bench to support Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. DeRozan has played the power forward before, so he could slot in beside Jarrett Allen or Evan Mobley in certain matchups.
The Denver Nuggets, which recently stunned the NBA world by matching the Oklahoma City Thunder’s two-year, $12 million deal for Spencer Jones, are looking for bench help who will be willing to take the veteran’s minimum.
DeRozan fits the profile of a reliable scorer who can help carry the offense, particularly in non-Nikola Jokic minutes.
This past season, he averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Besides his scoring and playmaking chops, one of DeRozan’s biggest assets is his durability. He has missed only 27 games in five seasons.
With the James business concluded, he could be the next veteran star to sign with a new team.
