​Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan put on a strong post-up against Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James during an NBA game, a moment captured as the free-agent landscape began to take shape this offseason. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that the Golden State Warriors plan to explore DeRozan if they are unable to land LeBron James, though Toronto and Miami have also emerged as possible destinations as conversations about James’ next team swirl across the league. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have kept a close watch on the biggest free agent remaining, though questions linger about whether they are truly contenders to sign James.
ESPN insider Shams Charania has consistently flagged Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia as the three teams most frequently mentioned in league chatter regarding James’ free agency, with Minnesota not appearing as often among the frontrunners. Still, veteran NBA insider Jake Fischer believes the timing of James’ eventual decision could ripple through the entire market, potentially reshaping the Timberwolves’ own approach.
During a Wednesday Bleacher Report livestream, Fischer proposed DeRozan as a potential fallback for Minnesota if they miss out on James. He stressed that he was offering basketball analysis rather than insider reporting, saying, “I haven’t heard that. I’m just wondering out loud.” He added, “That’s not reporting. That’s just me drawing a line between the Timberwolves’ power forward gap and DeMar being more of a small-ball four at this stage of his career.”
Fischer also noted that several teams appear to be in a holding pattern while waiting for James to decide his destination, and Minnesota could be among them. “If they don’t get LeBron, they’re definitely going to go after a power forward,” he said. That line of thinking is what connected DeRozan to the Timberwolves, despite Fisher acknowledging he hadn’t heard of any mutual interest between the two sides.
James’ free-agent decision has become the offseason’s biggest domino, with many teams ready to pivot swiftly once the four-time MVP announces his plan. DeRozan’s involvement in this scenario underscores his standing as a versatile veteran who could fit into multiple systems as teams reassess their rosters in light of James’ eventual choice.
DeRozan, officially listed at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, is viewed as a capable small-ball power forward, though his role could be adaptable. For Minnesota, that adaptability could unlock a variety of lineup configurations. One possibility would be to deploy DeRozan as a stretch-leaning forward who could share time with Jaden McDaniels, enabling McDaniels to slide into a more traditional power-forward position when needed. This versatility would allow Wolves coach Chris Finch to experiment with different schemes, leveraging DeRozan’s size and veteran savvy while preserving McDaniels’ elite perimeter defense.
As the league continues to assess options, DeRozan’s potential as a backup plan for Minnesota remains part of a broader conversation about how teams will reconfigure their rosters once James makes his move. The public profile of DeRozan’s game—combining mid-range scoring, enough playmaking to supplement a second unit, and defensive tenacity—positions him as a plausible fit for teams seeking veteran leadership and immediate contributions without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
In sum, DeRozan’s involvement in discussions about the Timberwolves reflects the broader dynamics at play as the league anticipates LeBron James’s next destination. While some teams may view him as a bridge option or a flexible frontcourt piece, others may see him as a valuable contributor to stabilize a playoff contender’s bench or as a complementary star alongside established veterans. The coming weeks are likely to reveal where Minnesota’s priorities lie and whether DeRozan emerges as a concrete target or remains a speculative possibility in the evolving free-agent market.