​According to Matt George of Sactown Sports 1140, the Cleveland Cavaliers could pursue DeMar DeRozan as a potential addition this offseason, with DeRozan recently being waived by the Sacramento Kings and entering unrestricted free agency. George notes that two teams frequently connected with DeRozan in early chatter are the Miami Heat and the Cavaliers, the latter of which he has long believed could benefit from DeRozan’s skill set, particularly off the bench in the second unit. DeRozan spent the last two seasons with the Kings, averaging 22.2 points per game in the 2024-25 campaign and 18.4 points per game this past season. At 36 turning 37 in August, the six-time All-Star is entering a stage of his career where teaming up with a championship contender makes the most sense, and Cleveland certainly fits that profile. The Cavaliers emerged as a top team in the NBA last season, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals before a four-game defeat to the New York Knicks.
DeRozan, a product of the USC program, owns career averages of 21.1 points per game across his time with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, and Sacramento Kings. He has been in the league since 2009 and has built a reputation as a versatile scorer who can contribute in multiple ways. Notably, DeRozan has one of the tighter personal connections in the league, as LeBron James is widely regarded as one of his closest friends in the NBA. While there is no official confirmation, many insiders anticipate LeBron’s return to the Cavaliers this offseason, further fueling speculation about a potential Cleveland reunion with DeRozan in the mix.
If the Cavaliers can bring DeRozan aboard, they could add a veteran scorer who can glide into the lineup and provide leadership and offensive efficiency. A realistic scenario might involve DeRozan serving as a dynamic two-way contributor, capable of scoring in isolation and creating opportunities for teammates, while also providing veteran know-how to a relatively young Cavaliers core. This type of acquisition would bolster Cleveland’s depth and add a reliable scoring option for the second unit, potentially accelerating the team’s push for deeper playoff runs in the coming seasons.
The idea of LeBron James returning to Cleveland becomes even more intriguing in this context. James, who starred for the Cavaliers in two separate stints (2003–2010 and 2014–2018), posted averages of 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game during his Cavaliers tenure. He has four NBA championships to his name and a lengthy list of accolades, including two MVP Awards and a Finals MVP Award, along with ten All-Star selections and ten All-NBA selections with the franchise. The prospect of LeBron finishing his career in Cleveland is a compelling storyline for fans and a tantalizing possibility for the team’s franchise-long history.
From a potential roster-building perspective, Cleveland’s best-case scenario would involve a balance of veteran leadership, scoring versatility, and a high basketball IQ. DeRozan would bring mid-range consistency, clutch performance in late-game situations, and a steady presence in the locker room, complementing a young core that already includes Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. A starting lineup featuring James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen would be both potent and entertaining, presenting a fearsome combination of guard play, playmaking, interior defense, and versatility on both ends of the floor. While such a lineup remains hypothetical and contingent on several moving parts, the possibility adds an intriguing layer to the Cavaliers’ offseason plans and the broader NBA narrative surrounding free agency.
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