DeMar DeRozan’s Free Agency Is Stuck Waiting on LeBron James

DeMar DeRozan is a six-time All-Star who can still score 20 points a night. But right now, his next move depends entirely on what LeBron James decides to do. That’s not a rumor. That’s the consensus among league insiders who track this stuff.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, multiple teams are treating DeRozan as a backup plan if they can’t land LeBron. The Heat have been interested in DeRozan for years, and the feeling is mutual. The Warriors are having internal conversations about bringing him in. The Cavaliers could use him if LeBron doesn’t come back to Cleveland. But none of that moves forward until LeBron picks a team.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst put it bluntly this week. “DeRozan is tied to LeBron James in an unusual way,” Windhorst said. “Some of the teams waiting on an answer from LeBron James, teams like Miami, also could be DeRozan teams if LeBron doesn’t land there. So I would keep an eye on LeBron’s decision affecting DeMar DeRozan’s decision.”

Here’s the tricky part. DeRozan is about to turn 37. He’s not someone who can afford to wait too long and then scramble for a roster spot. But that might be exactly what happens.

What DeRozan Still Brings to the Table

Let’s be fair to the guy. Over the last two seasons with the Kings, DeRozan averaged 20.3 points and 4.3 assists on solid shooting splits. He’s played in 63 playoff games. He’s a calming presence on offense for a team that needs scoring off the bench or in the starting lineup.

The Kings weren’t good last year. They had the fifth-worst record in the league, and DeRozan kind of got lost in that mess. But a lot of contenders would kill for a veteran who can get his own bucket when the shot clock is running down.

The Money Question

Jake Fischer dropped an interesting detail. DeRozan is not projected to sign for more than the veteran minimum. That opens up almost every team in the league as a possibility. It also makes him a very cheap gamble for any team that misses on LeBron.

“If LeBron doesn’t go to Miami, DeMar DeRozan has always had interest in going to Miami,” Fischer said. He added that the Warriors could give DeRozan real consideration in a veteran-minimum role if the LeBron-to-Golden State stuff falls through. And right now, that doesn’t seem likely anyway.

So it’s a ripple effect. LeBron decides first. Then DeRozan finds his landing spot. The question is whether DeRozan is willing to sit tight and wait. Because the teams that want him are the same teams that are chasing LeBron. And LeBron tends to take his time.