News of Klay Thompson heading to Miami made DeMar DeRozan’s choice much clearer, so he’s made the call.
DeRozan will sign as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes. While the terms of the deal are not mentioned, because Denver is over the second apron all it can offer is the veteran minimum of $3.9 million.
DeRozan had been in talks with Miami, Denver and reportedly Washington, although the Wizards were always a long shot. DeRozan had been in touch with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray and talked with the Nuggets’ big three about coming on board, Haynes reported.
DeRozan, 37, will provide a needed scoring punch off the bench in Denver, a team that was even thinner after a sign-and-trade sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland. They also lost Sixth Man candidate Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason. DeRozan has been incredibly durable over his career, the 17-year NBA veteran has never played fewer than 60 games in a season, something important to Denver.
DeRozan, a six-time All-Star, averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists per game in Sacramento last season. However, this offseason the Kings waived his partially guaranteed contract to save money.
This signing will give the Nuggets 14 guaranteed contracts, which is likely where they will leave it heading into training camp. While they may ultimately want to shed about $4 million in salary to get below the second apron, they have until next June to do so.
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