Speculation is mounting over Nikola Jokic's future and the Golden State Warriors' potential interest in the three-time MVP, but the Denver Nuggets have moved to silence any concerns by signing six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan on Friday.
DeRozan gives the Nuggets another offensive option to support Jokic and Jamal Murray, but his recent lack of impact on winning also gives the Warriors more reason to monitor the three-time MVP ahead of free agency next year.
DeRozan signing gives Warriors more reason to monitor Jokic
Having still averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists on nearly 50% shooting from the floor with the Sacramento Kings last season, there's a good chance this DeRozan move proves a savvy signing for the Nuggets as they look for some offensive punch off the bench and in the non-Jokic minutes.
It's certainly worth the cost of a simple one-year, $3.9 million minimum contract, but it's also not a home-run signing necessarily given there's some contrast in DeRozan's playstyle as opposed to Jokic.
BREAKING: Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan has agreed to sign with the Denver Nuggets on a one-year, $3.9 million deal, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/mGiCIcKtq1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2026
DeRozan largely needs the ball in his hands to be effective. He's not a spot up 3-point shooter and while we could see some more off-ball cutting in Denver playing next to Jokic, he hasn't been accustomed to that kind of off-ball role throughout his 17-year career to date.
Is DeRozan really going to have a meaningful impact on winning at the Nuggets? There's a good chance he can, but it would also belie his career where despite scoring over 25,000 points, DeRozan has a negative career plus-minus.
The 37-year-old has won just four playoff series in his career. He hasn't won one since back in 2018 with the Toronto Raptors, and has only been in two playoffs series total in the past eight years since then. For as good and productive as he still is, there's still question marks here.
DeMar DeRozan might not be the answer for the Nuggets
DeRozan could be a great innings eater for Denver during the regular season -- someone who they can give the ball to create offense while lessening the burden on Jokic and Murray. That's part of the reason he would have been an interesting target for Golden State who desperately need shot-making while Jimmy Butler remains sidelined by a torn ACL.
But unlike the Warriors who are just trying to return to the playoffs, the Nuggets shouldn't be worried about the regular season. They're baseline should be at minimum winning a playoff series, and the expectations are likely to a return to the Western Conference Finals or beyond.
Can DeRozan fit with Jokic and Murray in a playoff setting? That's a legitimate question that will have the Warriors still well and truly monitoring Jokic's future and what the Nuggets look like with this latest addition.
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