The Denver Nuggets fulfilled a dream when they signed 37-year-old DeMar DeRozan to a one-year, $3.9 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who broke the news on Friday.
According to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando, the Nuggets have been chasing DeRozan since February this year. When DeRozan was not available to get in the trade deadline, the Nuggets waited until he was waived by the Sacramento Kings in the offseason to swing for him.
“The Nuggets have been monitoring DeRozan’s situation in Sacramento dating back to February, when they were prepared to pursue him on the buyout market if the Kings had released him then,” Durando reported.
Denver Nuggets’ Strong Pursuit To Get DeMar DeRozan
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 16: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
In the same report, Durando revealed that there was a strong recruitment push from Denver’s coaching staff and core players, including Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.
“When he became a free agent this summer, Denver put together a sustained recruitment that involved players, coaches and executives, one source close to DeRozan said,” he added.
“Aaron Gordon and assistant coach Jared Dudley were two of the key individuals with prior relationships to DeRozan who spoke with him in recent weeks.”
The six-time NBA All-Star chose Denver after drawing interest from teams like the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, and New Orleans Pelicans during free agency.
DeRozan will step in as a vital playmaker and veteran scorer to boost the Nuggets’ bench or possibly in the starting unit and play alongside Jokic and Murray.
The move directly follows Denver’s multi-team trade that sent young wing Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
DeRozan spent the previous two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds across 77 games in 2025–26 before hitting free agency.
Now with the Nuggets, DeRozan will get a real chance for his first-ever NBA championship after playing with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, and the Kings in his NBA career.
DeRozan will share positions with Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, Lonnie Walker IV, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones, and Alpha Diallo in Denver.
DeMar DeRozan Was Anxious With The Denver Nuggets
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings reacts to a no foul call against the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Golden 1 Center on November 05, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets and the idea of playing on a championship-contending team brought anxiety to DeMar DeRozan.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, DeRozan was anxious before signing with the Nuggets on Friday.
“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.
DeRozan is the Nuggets’ biggest acquisition this offseason.
Earlier in the offseason, Denver acquired big man Marvin Bagley III, wing Lonnie Walker IV, and free agent Alpha Diallo. They rounded out their summer roster by signing draft picks Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins, maximizing low-risk talent to reload around their championship core.
Operating strictly under severe second apron financial constraints, the Nuggets front office focused on cost-effective depth by re-signing guard Tyus Jones and matching a two-year, $12 million offer sheet from the Thunder to retain homegrown shooter Spencer Jones.
Denver Nuggets Make Dream Come True With DeMar DeRozan Signing