In a surprise move, the Sacramento Kings and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan have mutually agreed to a release, making the six-time All-Star an unrestricted free agent. He was playing on a contract paying him nearly $25 million per year, and he will likely choose to play next season on something closer to $10 million. He will have his choice of teams, given he averaged 18.4 points per game last season on nearly 50% shooting (.497).
DeRozen is also durable, playing in 77 games last year. There are currently eight teams in the league that didn’t have a player average as many points per game as him, or who did, but didn’t play enough games to qualify. The Milwaukee Bucks are a perfect example. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team with 27.6ppg, but only played in 36 games. The team’s next leading scorer was Kevin Porter Jr (17.4).
DeRozan would be the top option on a team like the Memphis Grizzlies, who just traded their star player to the Portland Trail Blazers. Neither team would be appealing to the three-time All-NBA guard, though, since they both are destined to miss the playoffs for a second straight season in 2026-27. Here are six teams that could make a run for a title, should DeRozan choose to join the fray.
DeMar DeRozan To The Golden State Warriors
The Warriors may seem like they are in the twilight of their dominance, and maybe that’s right, but they are trying to make one more run at the Larry O’Brien trophy. The team is actively pursuing LeBron James, which would form a big three with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler. Curry only played 43 games last season, and Butler only 38 (averaging just 20 points per game).
Bringing back Draymond Green, adding James, and getting 77 games from a player with DeRozan’s efficiency could make them one of the favorites in the West next year. All five players could start, or Golden State could mix and match who starts and who keeps the party going off the bench. It might be DeRozan’s best shot at being a big contributor and making a run at the Finals.
DeMar DeRozan To The Oklahoma City Thunder
Last season, the Thunder were supposed to repeat as NBA Champions, and for most of the year, it looked like they would, but a young San Antonio Spurs team had different plans. The team is still intact for the most part, but lost a key bench player in Aaron Wiggins. DeRozan would be an incredible upgrade if he chose to come off the bench and chase a ring.
The 6’6″ wing might not have to, though. He would be a nice piece to plug in next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. DeRozan’s health and efficiency would make the Thunder favorites again and make them one of the scariest teams in the league. He wouldn’t get a big payday, but ending the season with a champagne shower would be all the payment he requires.
DeMar DeRozan To The Denver Nuggets
Denver had the third-best record in the Western Conference last year, and this could be their last hurrah. The team’s All-NBA center and all-time great player, Nikola Jokic, has chosen not to sign an extension with them. At least, not until after the season, when he can decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent. Brad Stevens may have envisioned that prior to trading his star player.
Tim Hardaway Jr averaged 18.3 points per game despite only starting in six of his 80 appearances last year. It would be easy to earmark him as the starting two-guard for this season, or maybe they like him coming off the bench. Either way, adding DeRozan would give them depth they didn’t have in 2025-26, and potentially propel them to the top of the conference standings.
DeMar DeRozan To The Miami Heat
The Heat went all-in this offseason, sending Tyler Herro to Wisconsin for Antetokounmpo. Now they need a starting wing player who can score, and DeRozan can do that in bunches. He had nine games over 30 points last year, and would be a slight upgrade over the younger Andrew Wiggins, who only averaged 15.4 points per game in 2025-26.
Norman Powell has the starting off-guard spot locked up, but DeRozan or Wiggins could play small forward, with the other coming off the bench. This would move Bam Adebayo to the four, and the Greek Freak to the five spot, but it would be an incredibly athletic group of players. They would certainly improve on the team’s 43-39 record last year.
DeMar DeRozan To The Boston Celtics
The Celtics ‘ long-term plan may include Jokic, but their current plan involves Paul George, and he only played 37 games last season. Even when he does play, he’s less of a scorer than DeRozan (17.3 points per game and .439 shooting). If they want to compete in the East this season, they need someone who can play and score at ease when he does.
Derrick White will start at shooting guard, thanks to his defense, and Payton Pritchard will continue coming off the bench. DeRozan can be either a scoring option in the starting five for Boston or a spark plug off the bench. Maybe they add him, and maybe they don’t, but if they don’t add somebody, the Finals are just a pipe dream for the Celtics.
DeMar DeRozan To The New York Knicks
Of course, any player interested in winning a title would join a team that just won one. DeRozan is a better player than Miles Bridges and could take over the team’s starting small forward role. The other wings on the team (Josh Hart and Miles McBride) are better suited for the bench. Adding a starter who is still one of the league’s most efficient scorers for a veteran minimum deal would be quite a coup for the Knicks.
New York will face challengers this season, especially the revamped Philadelphia 76ers, when it comes to being the top team in the East. If they plan to make it through the gauntlet, they need more firepower than they have right now, and DeRozan would be a howitzer for them. It could mean the difference between playing in the finals and watching the finals from home.
