The Denver Nuggets are shifting their free-agency focus toward six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan after completing a three-team trade involving restricted free agent forward Peyton Watson, according to a report from league sources.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Wednesday night that the Nuggets “are pivoting and have their eyes directed on six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan who remains a free agent in demand for contenders.”
The development comes hours after news broke of a deal sending Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the transaction involving the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver received an unprotected 2031 first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 second-round selection originally belonging to the Sacramento Kings.
Watson is set to sign a four-year, $88 million contract with the Cavaliers that includes a player option and trade kicker.
DeRozan, who turns 37 this month, has been one of the more prominent remaining free agents since the Kings waived him in early July. Sacramento released the veteran to create salary-cap flexibility, as only $10 million of his $25.7 million salary for the upcoming season was guaranteed. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 77 games last season while shooting 49.7 percent from the field.
The Nuggets have ranked among several contenders expressing interest in the former All-NBA selection throughout the offseason. Miami and Cleveland previously were linked to him as well, along with more recent interest from Washington.
DeRozan has indicated a preference for joining a team with championship aspirations, though financial details remain a key factor.
Denver operates under significant salary-cap constraints as the only projected second-apron team entering the 2026-27 season. That status limits the Nuggets to offering DeRozan a veteran minimum contract. Multiple reports have indicated the forward has sought at least a portion of a team’s mid-level exception from potential suitors.
Adding DeRozan would address a clear need for the Nuggets. Denver ranked 20th in the NBA in bench scoring during the 2025-26 season and exited the playoffs in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, their earliest postseason departure since 2022. The veteran’s midrange scoring and secondary playmaking could provide a boost in non-Nikola Jokic minutes.
DeRozan has built a reputation for durability and consistency across 17 NBA seasons. He has appeared in at least 70 games in each of the past five campaigns and ranks among the league’s all-time scoring leaders. Career averages stand at 21.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
The Nuggets already have made several roster moves this offseason, including re-signing Tyus Jones and adding Marvin Bagley III and Alpha Diallo on one-year deals. Matching an offer sheet for Spencer Jones earlier pushed the franchise deeper into luxury-tax territory. The Watson trade provides some future draft capital but does not immediately free significant cap space.
DeRozan’s fit alongside Jokic and Jamal Murray would emphasize isolation scoring and late-game creation, areas where Denver has sought improvement. His career free-throw percentage of 84.3 percent and history of performing in clutch situations align with the team’s offensive profile, which ranked fourth in free-throw rate last season.
Discussions between the Nuggets and DeRozan’s representatives are ongoing, sources familiar with the situation have said. Other contenders continue to monitor the market, keeping the veteran in a position of leverage despite his age.
Whether DeRozan ultimately accepts a minimum deal to join a Western Conference contender remains uncertain. The Nuggets, coming off consecutive seasons that fell short of championship expectations, view the addition as a potential low-risk, high-reward move to strengthen their second unit.
Further developments are expected in the coming days as free agency winds down and training camps approach.
DeRozan has yet to commit to any team, maintaining interest from multiple organizations seeking veteran wing help.
