The Denver Nuggets have signed six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal, adding a major veteran piece to their championship puzzle for the 2026-27 NBA season. This move comes as the team builds on a strong foundation, having just dominated the Golden State Warriors 116-93 on March 30, 2026, as part of a recent 4-1 run.
DeRozan joins a Denver squad that finished the 2025-26 season with a 54-28 record and the league's top offense, scoring 122.1 points per game. At 37 years old, his role is expected to be different. He averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over 77 games for Sacramento last season. Now, he won't need to be the primary creator with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray handling that load.
His midrange scoring and ability to create for others offer a new dimension. Denver can use him as a secondary option, a luxury they lacked in their first-round playoff exit last year. That six-game loss to Minnesota highlighted some defensive issues the team must address.
Denver's form is trending upward as they integrate their new piece. Their last five games show a 4-1 record (WWWLW), including that convincing win over Golden State. Before that, they edged the Phoenix Suns 125-123 on March 25 and crushed the Houston Rockets 129-93 on March 12.
The recent results show the offensive firepower DeRozan is joining. But the playoff loss to Oklahoma City in May 2025, including a 125-93 defeat, serves as a reminder of postseason challenges.
The Nuggets allowed 116.9 points per game in the regular season last year. Adding an older player like DeRozan raises legitimate defensive questions for the playoffs. His fit will be a major variable in a lineup that saw significant changes this offseason.
His value lies in providing efficient scoring when defenses focus on Jokić and Murray. If he can do that, it takes pressure off everyone. But his individual success must translate to team defense for Denver to make a deep run.
Denver is considered among the top teams for veterans seeking a first ring, alongside Cleveland with James Harden and Boston with Paul George. Joel Embiid in Philadelphia is also in the mix. The comparison weighs team quality, supporting stars, and recent postseason evidence.
Denver's established system and elite core give DeRozan a clear path. He doesn't have to carry the franchise, just complement its engines. That specific role might be the perfect final act for his career. The team's current three-game winning streak shows the core is already in rhythm, ready to welcome his skill set.
