​After an eventful week of NBA free agency, momentum has cooled as teams bide their time while awaiting LeBron James’s next move. The four-time MVP has reportedly been weighing his options since he announced late last month that he would not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers. As James takes his time, the future of a six-time All-Star appears to be on hold.
Teams seeking reinforcements received a glimmer of good news on Monday when the Sacramento Kings waived DeMar DeRozan. The veteran forward posted averages of 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game this past season, cementing his status as one of the top free agents on the market. Even with DeRozan’s availability, however, league-wide interest may not surge until James clarifies where he plans to play next, according to NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Jake Fischer.
“DeRozan is tied to LeBron James in an unusual way,” Windhorst said on Wednesday’s edition of NBA Today. “I believe that some of the teams waiting on an answer from LeBron James—teams like Miami—also could be DeRozan teams if LeBron doesn’t land there. So, I would keep an eye on LeBron’s decision affecting DeMar DeRozan’s decision. Will DeMar be willing to wait?”
Fischer added on a Bleacher Report livestream that DeRozan’s outcome “will be a ripple effect of what happens with LeBron James.” “If [James] doesn’t go to Golden State, and it doesn’t seem likely now, then the Warriors, I think, will give real consideration to bringing on DeMar in some type of veteran minimum capacity,” Fischer speculated. He noted that if LeBron doesn’t go to Miami, DeRozan has long harbored interest in joining the Heat.
The Kings had previously guaranteed $10 million of DeRozan’s $25.7 million contract before agreeing to a mutual parting. Sacramento granted his request to pursue a championship-contending opportunity, opening the door for other teams to pursue him at a potentially bargain rate. If DeRozan is available at the veteran minimum, he might not be willing to play the waiting game. He could sign with any title contender willing to offer that kind of contract. There is also a possibility that both DeRozan and James end up on the same team.
Beyond the Warriors and the Heat, a number of other franchises have emerged as suitors for the 22-time All-Star, according to his agent, Rich Paul. There is no fixed deadline forcing James or DeRozan to make a decision, but the landscape suggests James may need to set his course first, allowing DeRozan and other teams to gauge interest more accurately. If James should decide first, it could give DeRozan a clearer picture of which teams are truly in the running and how much competition he might face for a spot on a championship-caliber roster. The league is watching closely as both veterans navigate a pivotal period that could reshape their careers and alter the balance of power around the NBA’s top contenders.