Anshari Taslim
Sacramento, CA – July 6, 2026 – The Sacramento Kings officially waived veteran guard DeMar DeRozan on Monday, a move primarily driven by financial considerations as the team navigates its luxury-tax commitments and pivots towards a younger core. DeRozan, who holds the 18th position on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,711 career points, saw only $10 million of his $25.7 million salary guaranteed for the upcoming season. This decision provides the Kings with a substantial saving of at least $15.7 million, with the potential for further short-term relief if they opt to stretch the guaranteed portion of his salary over the next three seasons. The Kings, in what is widely understood as a rebuilding phase, are seeking to reconfigure their roster, indicating a diminishing role for an aging former All-Star.
Despite approaching his 37th birthday, DeRozan is expected to command a robust market in the upcoming free agency period. His consistent ability to produce individual offense, evidenced by his 18.4 points per game last season, remains a valuable asset for teams seeking scoring punch. However, DeRozan’s free agency history suggests a preference for significant financial compensation. In both 2021 and 2024, rumors of him taking a pay cut to join a championship contender circulated widely, yet on both occasions, he ultimately signed deals that prioritized salary. This pattern indicates that any team willing to offer a substantial contract, potentially utilizing the mid-level exception, would likely be a primary suitor. Furthermore, teams with more available minutes, often those not in immediate contention, might present a more attractive proposition for a player accustomed to a prominent offensive role.
DeRozan’s unique skillset, characterized by elite mid-range scoring and playmaking from the perimeter, contrasts with the prevailing analytics-driven trends in the modern NBA. His game largely operates without a consistent three-point shot, and his defensive contributions have often drawn scrutiny, particularly in advanced metrics. The "on-off" numbers, which quantify a player’s impact on team performance when they are on or off the court, have historically been unfavorable for DeRozan. Coupled with his age, these factors represent a significant consideration for front offices increasingly focused on efficiency and two-way play. Consequently, the prospect of DeRozan accepting a lower salary to join a contender may no longer be a strategic choice but rather a practical necessity, as the pool of teams willing to commit significant resources to a player with his profile potentially narrows. The following teams represent some of the most plausible destinations for the newly available veteran scorer.
The LeBron James Aftermath: Contingency Plans for Contenders
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A significant portion of the league’s high-stakes free agency landscape in 2026 revolves around the decision of LeBron James, whose availability has created a holding pattern for at least half a dozen franchises. While teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers, already rich in shot-creation capabilities, are unlikely fits for DeRozan, three prominent contenders who might miss out on James could pivot their attention to the veteran’s services. These teams, often operating at the margins of their salary caps, could find DeRozan an appealing option via a veteran minimum or a portion of their mid-level exception, provided they prioritize his specific offensive skillset.
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Denver Nuggets: Should the Nuggets fail to secure James’s commitment, their focus could shift to bolstering their perimeter scoring and secondary playmaking. While Nikola Jokic orchestrates the offense masterfully, and Jamal Murray provides dynamic guard play, the team has historically sought reliable scoring depth, particularly from players who can create their own shot in late-clock situations. DeRozan’s ability to operate in isolation and his proficiency in the mid-range could offer a valuable change of pace to Denver’s offense, especially if Murray or Michael Porter Jr. face any injury concerns or simply need offensive relief. He could serve as a high-usage bench scorer, stabilizing units when Jokic rests, providing a crucial veteran presence on a team with championship aspirations. The question for Denver would be how DeRozan’s lack of three-point shooting integrates with their existing offensive spacing around Jokic.
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Miami Heat: Pat Riley’s "Heat Culture" has a long-standing tradition of valuing veteran leadership and competitive drive, making Miami a perennial destination for seasoned players. If the Heat’s aggressive pursuit of LeBron James falls short, DeRozan could emerge as a target to add a reliable scoring option to Erik Spoelstra’s system. The Heat often thrive on gritty, half-court execution, an area where DeRozan excels. His ability to draw fouls and his methodical offensive approach could complement Miami’s defensive intensity and add another dimension to their late-game offense. The challenge for Miami would be finding a defensive scheme that can adequately cover for DeRozan’s limitations, especially in playoff scenarios where every possession is magnified. His fit would likely be as a high-usage bench scorer, tasked with carrying the scoring load for second units.
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Golden State Warriors: The Warriors, perennially competitive but facing the natural aging curve of their dynasty-era core, could be another team looking for supplementary scoring if their top-tier free agent targets remain elusive. If Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are still leading the charge in 2026, a veteran like DeRozan could provide a different offensive look, particularly as a secondary ball-handler and a reliable scorer in non-Curry lineups. His mid-range game could be an asset when three-point shots aren’t falling, and his experience could prove invaluable in mentoring younger players. The primary hurdle for Golden State would be DeRozan’s lack of three-point shooting, which runs counter to the Warriors’ established offensive philosophy. However, as a bench contributor, he could offer a valuable change-up, particularly in the pick-and-roll.
Toronto Raptors: A Sentimental Reunion with Strategic Questions
The prospect of DeMar DeRozan returning to the Toronto Raptors ignites a strong emotional resonance among the fanbase. The Raptors famously traded DeRozan in 2018 to acquire Kawhi Leonard, a move that ultimately led to the franchise’s first NBA championship. Having since lost and reacquired Leonard, the idea of uniting DeRozan and Leonard in 2026 could represent a full-circle moment for the franchise as they aim to recapture past glories.
However, the strategic fit raises several questions. The current Raptors roster, now spearheaded by the ascending talent of Scottie Barnes, who achieved true stardom last season, is already grappling with offensive spacing. The team ranked 25th in the NBA in three-point attempt rate last season, indicating a broader struggle with perimeter shooting. While Leonard operates at a deliberate pace, the rest of the Raptors’ roster often leans into a fast-paced, transition-oriented identity. Introducing another ball-dominant, mid-range specialist like DeRozan could potentially disrupt this established flow and further exacerbate shooting woes.
Toronto’s strength lies in its defensive versatility, with an array of strong defenders across multiple positions. Integrating DeRozan, who is not known for his defensive prowess, would require head coach Darko Rajaković to make adjustments, potentially compromising a core identity element. The rationale for a reunion largely hinges on the Raptors’ confidence in their ability to generate offense when Leonard is resting. If they seek a reliable half-court shot-maker for those specific minutes, DeRozan on a veteran minimum contract could offer significant value. However, with Barnes’s continued development, it is increasingly plausible that Toronto would prefer to stagger the minutes of Barnes and Leonard, entrusting Barnes with the primary offensive creation responsibilities when Leonard is off the court. While not entirely improbable, the fit appears less than ideal from a purely tactical standpoint.
New York Knicks: Addressing Bench Needs with Fit Concerns
The New York Knicks are reportedly in the market for a reliable bench ball-handler and scorer, a role akin to what Jordan Clarkson provided for various teams last season. DeRozan, by virtue of his career accomplishments and scoring ability, is arguably overqualified for such a specific, limited role. However, the Knicks’ current roster construction presents its own set of challenges regarding DeRozan’s integration.
The team’s offense is heavily orchestrated by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, a player who, like DeRozan, thrives with the ball in his hands and operates effectively in the mid-range. The potential for redundant skillsets and conflicting offensive philosophies is evident. Furthermore, DeRozan’s lack of three-point shooting could create significant spacing issues when paired with other non-shooters, such as Josh Hart, a key contributor for the Knicks. This could complicate coach Tom Thibodeau’s offensive schemes, potentially congesting driving lanes for Brunson and limiting offensive versatility.
Despite these on-court challenges, the Knicks have a notable connection to DeRozan through his representation by CAA, an agency with strong ties to the New York franchise. This existing relationship ensures that the Knicks’ front office has comprehensive information regarding DeRozan’s professional conduct, commitment, and potential willingness to adapt to a reduced role. DeRozan also played briefly under Mike Brown in Sacramento, providing another layer of information for teams with coaching staff familiar with his style. If the Knicks believe a 37-year-old DeRozan is prepared to accept a smaller, more specific role – perhaps as a veteran presence who can provide a scoring punch in specific matchups or relieve primary ball-handlers – then a talent acquisition of this nature could be considered. Clarkson, for instance, was not a rotational staple in playoff games but performed his assigned duties when called upon. The question remains whether DeRozan, at this stage of his career, would embrace such a nuanced and potentially limited role for a contending team. His decision will undoubtedly shape the bench dynamics of whichever franchise ultimately secures his services.
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