DeMar DeRozan's Surprising Move to Denver Nuggets Leaves NBA World Confused
The Denver Nuggets have signed DeMar DeRozan to a 1-year, $3.9 million deal, leaving the NBA community confused about the move. The 37-year-old veteran guard/forward agreed to the deal on Friday, just days after the Nuggets traded emerging star Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
DeMar DeRozan's arrival in Denver comes after he mutually agreed to part ways with the Sacramento Kings early in free agency last month. The veteran guard/forward wanted out to chase a championship, and he had multiple suitors, reportedly including the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, and Nuggets.
The Nuggets now add DeRozan to a core that includes Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. That move, especially coming so soon after the Watson trade, inevitably got people talking.
"It's giving desperate lol," a podcaster and Oklahoma City Thunder supporter wrote. "Window closed. Such an awkward on-court fit too," a Los Angeles Lakers supporter added.
DeMar DeRozan is still a solid player, but I just don't get the Nuggets offseason at all," a sports observer tweeted. "Franchise is genuinely cooked," an NBA observer remarked.
The reaction makes more sense when looking at what Denver gave up. Watson, a blossoming 23-year-old two-way star, averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game last season, all career highs. The athletic 6-foot-8 forward was also easily the Nuggets' best perimeter defender.
Denver didn't receive a player in the Watson trade, either. Instead, the team is replacing him with a 37-year-old veteran with a much-maligned defense. The Nuggets ranked 21st in defensive rating last season, making the loss of Watson potentially even more significant.
Still, there is a reason Denver immediately intensified its pursuit of DeRozan once Watson was out. The three-time All-NBA is a proven scorer, especially late in games. Since 2020, his 3,045 fourth-quarter points are the most in the NBA, per StatMuse.
DeRozan could help carry the offense, particularly when the Nuggets' Serbian superstar is out. Denver seems to be betting that DeRozan's scoring and late-game shot creation can make up for what it lost defensively with Watson.
What comes next?
The Denver Nuggets' move to sign DeMar DeRozan has left the NBA community confused about the team's offseason. The Nuggets now have a core that includes Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, but the addition of DeRozan has raised questions about the team's defensive capabilities.
The Nuggets' recent form has been 2 wins and 0 losses in their last 5 games, but they have lost their last 2 games. The team's last result was a 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 1, 2026.
Why it matters for Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets' move to sign DeMar DeRozan has significant implications for the team's chances in the playoffs. The addition of DeRozan could help carry the offense, particularly when the Nuggets' Serbian superstar is out, but it also raises questions about the team's defensive capabilities.
The Nuggets' recent form has been 2 wins and 0 losses in their last 5 games, but they have lost their last 2 games. The team's last result was a 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 1, 2026.
What's next for DeMar DeRozan?
DeMar DeRozan's move to the Denver Nuggets has left the NBA community confused about the team's offseason. The veteran guard/forward agreed to a 1-year, $3.9 million deal on Friday, just days after the Nuggets traded emerging star Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
