The Denver Nuggets have a clear role for new signing DeMar DeRozan, planning to use the veteran scorer as their sixth man for the 2026 NBA season. This strategic move aims to stabilize the team's second-unit offense, a persistent weakness, as the Nuggets prepare for their next preseason fixture against the Chicago Bulls on October 11. The team is coming off a 117-106 preseason win over the Utah Jazz on October 6, following a 109-97 loss to the same opponent on October 4.
Head coach Michael Malone and the front office see DeRozan as the foundational player their bench has lacked. His job is to organize the offense and generate shots when two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is on the bench. DeRozan averaged 18.4 points per game last season for the Sacramento Kings, shooting 49.7 percent from the field. That production proves he can still carry a significant offensive load. His elite midrange game and ability to draw fouls provide a reliable scoring option in late-clock situations. So the plan isn't about diminishing his role. It's about maximizing his impact where the team needs it most.
Denver's biggest challenge has been maintaining offensive flow without Jokic on the floor. The second unit often struggled to create quality looks. DeRozan's one-on-one scoring prowess directly addresses that problem. He gives the Nuggets a player they can simply give the ball to and trust to get a bucket. This allows Jamal Murray to play more off the ball in those stretches and conserves energy for the starters. DeRozan's experience in closing games also means he can finish contests alongside the starters, providing key balance. The team signed him to a one-year, $3.9 million veteran's minimum deal this offseason, a low-risk move for a high-upside scorer.
At 37 years old, DeRozan joins the Nuggets with one clear goal: winning an NBA championship. His Hall of Fame-caliber career has lacked that final achievement. Nick Young, a former teammate, believes DeRozan will help. "He still can," Young said. "When the offense gets stagnant, he could get DeMar the ball and hit an elbow or mid-range." But Young also cautioned that DeRozan could become a scapegoat if things go wrong, drawing a parallel to Russell Westbrook's single season in Denver. Westbrook put up 13.3 points and 6.1 assists per game in 2024-25 but was not brought back.
The immediate focus is the final preseason tune-up. Denver hosts the Chicago Bulls at Ball Arena on October 11. These exhibition games are testing grounds for integrating DeRozan into his new bench role. Fans can track the team's progress and the full regular-season schedule on our schedule page. If the experiment works, Denver's bench offense transforms from a liability into a strength. That could be the difference in a tight Western Conference playoff race. DeRozan's ability to adapt and produce will be watched closely from opening night onward.
