A return to the East Coast appears to be inevitable for DeMar DeRozan.
Two potential landing spots have gained “the most chatter” right now for the six-time NBA All-Star swingman DeRozan, local Sacramento writer Matt George reported this week on his self-titled podcast. Those two teams, George says, are the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Heat are the destination de jour this summer after officially completing their trade for former league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this week. They also lost guard Norman Powell in free agency, creating a need for some extra scoring on the wing.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are also looking for some added scoring punch. With Cleveland operating as a second-apron team last year, they allowed Dean Wade to walk in free agency and now have Max Strus and Dennis Schroder as potential trade candidates as well.
DeRozan, who turns 37 next month, was released earlier this week by the Sacramento Kings, leaving him free to sign with any team as a free agent. There is still some value to be had there as well after DeRozan averaged 18.4 points per game last season on a dysfunctional 22-60 Kings team.
A lot of DeRozan’s future will be determined by whether or not he is willing to sign for the veteran’s minimum next season (which would be set at roughly $3.9 million for him). Other suitors could potentially jump in the mix as well, including this team that has already been linked to DeRozan multiple times in the past.
