DeMar DeRozan has agreed to sign a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who broke the news on Friday.
DeRozan is set to add veteran presence and another offensive weapon for the Nuggets, a team bannered by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
But before he signed with the Nuggets, DeRozan had a negative feeling about the team.
DeMar DeRozan Was Anxious Before Signing With The Denver Nuggets
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 21: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center on January 21, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, DeRozan was anxious before signing with the team, but Nuggets stars made him calmer en route to joining them.
“DeMar DeRozan has been in conversations with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray and is anxious for the opportunity to play for a contending team, sources say. Denver adds another veteran clutch bucket-getter,” Haynes wrote in an X post.
There was a strong recruitment push from Denver’s coaching staff and core players, including Jokic and Murray, according to reports.
DeRozan, who spent the last two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, became an unrestricted free agent earlier this offseason after being waived by the Kings for financial and luxury tax relief reasons.
DeRozan was signed to fill critical wing depth after the Nuggets traded restricted free agent Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers
DeRozan selected Denver to compete for a championship over interest from the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and New Orleans Pelicans, according to Charania.
In Denver, DeRozan, who is 37 years old, will get a legitimate chance for his first-ever NBA championship before hanging it up.
DeRozan remains a consistent offensive weapon in the twilight of his career. During his last campaign with the Kings, he proved his high-level availability by playing 77 regular-season games while averaging 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
DeRozan’s Signing Completes Denver Nuggets’ Offseason Moves
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings dribbling the ball is guarded by Elijah Harkless #16 of the Utah Jazz in the second half at Golden 1 Center on March 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It is likely that DeMar DeRozan’s signing with the Nuggets is the last domino to fall for the team in the offseason.
That leaves longtime franchise superstar Nikola Jokic with a decent lineup but still far from a championship-contending one, at least in preseason evaluations.
Here is the Nuggets’ position depth chart after the DeMar DeRozan signing:
Projected Depth Chart
Point Guards: Jamal Murray, Tyus Jones, KJ Simpson
Shooting Guards: DeMar DeRozan, Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, Lonnie Walker IV
Small Forwards: Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones, Alpha Diallo
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon, DaRon Holmes II, Trevon Brazile
Centers: Nikola Jokic, Marvin Bagley III, Zeke Nnaji
The front office reinforced the frontcourt by signing Marvin Bagley III to a one-year contract, providing a promising backup big man option capable of relieving both Jokić and Aaron Gordon.
Further bolstering the backcourt and wing rotations, the team added scoring depth with Lonnie Walker IV, retained Spencer Jones, and secured Tyus Jones to maintain steady ball control behind Murray.
These arrivals helped offset notable offseason departures, including Tim Hardaway Jr. signing with Miami and the team cutting ties with Jonas Valančiūnas, who subsequently moved to an overseas club, on top of losing Peyton Watson.
The Nuggets are looking to return to the Western Conference Finals next season after missing it over the last three years despite some strong rosters.
DeMar DeRozan True Feelings About Joining Denver Nuggets Revealed