DeMar DeRozan has been waived by the Sacramento Kings after spending two seasons with the franchise after joining in 2024.
DeRozan, a 17-year NBA veteran, was drafted in 2009 with the ninth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. In his career, he’s also played for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. The six-time All-Star was released from the Kings on Monday, July 6, the team announced.
Both, DeRozan and the Kings front office reportedly worked together, collaboratively to waive DeRozan after searching for possible trade destinations, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
DeRozan was a consummate professional during his time with the Kings. During the 2025-26 season, he led the team in games started and played with 77. He led Sacramento in scoring among players on the team with at least 50 appearances, averaging 18.4 points per contest.
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“My whole goal since I been in the league is to try and find ways to come back and be better,” DeRozan told USA TODAY Sports during his end-of-season exit interview with the Kings in April.
DeRozan now becomes an unrestricted free agent and one of the remaining highly regarded players available throughout the free agency pool. There are plenty of teams, especially contenders, who can utilize his skillset, veteran leadership and professionalism inside their locker room.
Here are possible free agency landing spots for DeRozan after being waived by the Kings.
DeMar DeRozan landing spots
Here a few options that seem like potential sites on where DeRozan could land:
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat could be a team looking to get in line for DeRozan following his release from Sacramento. According to Miami Herald and Heat beat reporter Barry Jackson, Miami could look to add the All-Star guard to the team following its blocbuster deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis on June 22.
Jackson reported that there has been no contact between the Heat and DeRozan’s camp but said that Miami would be among teams of interest. Other players he mentions include Bradley Beal and Gary Trent, but it all depends on what LeBron James plans to do.
“The Heat simply could wait on LeBron decision before deciding what wing player to pursue,” Jackson said in a X post. “I expect Heat to try to add another wing; tough call is whether to pounce on one of these players or wait to see if a surprise name shakes free.”
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is a team that continues to come up in conversation about landing spots for DeRozan, and there are plenty of reasons to make the connection as well. DeRozan, with more NBA years behind him than in front, can play out the twilight of his career in the city where it all began.
“We’re looking at Toronto,” NBA Insider Jake Fischer said on DeRozan’s potential next team.
To make things even better, maybe he gets to link up with his buddy Kyle Lowry. Lowry signed with Toronto on a one-day deal to officially retire as a Raptor.
If DeRozan were to sign with Toronto, it would mark the the second return this summer of a former star. Kawhi Leonard, who led the Raptors to the the 2019 NBA championship, is back in Toronto after a massive trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Golden State Warriors
There are no reports linking DeRozan to the Warriors however, the six-time All-Star would be a natural fit for Golden State, given their roster. DeRozan gives them a solid scoring presence and a veteran leader in the locker room, and Golden State wouldn’t have to rush Jimmy Butler back to the court after dealing with a torn ACL.
Of course, questions of fit may loom, especially once team is fully healthy. But that could be a good problem to have. They would for sure be versatile with both.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: DeMar DeRozan free agency landing spots: Where might 6-time All-Star sign?
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