The 2025-26 NBA season proved to be quite disappointing for the Denver Nuggets in a tight Western Conference, and the franchise is aiming to battle back with the addition of DeMar DeRozan.
The six-time NBA All-Star reportedly is signing with the Nuggets before the 2026-27 campaign, per ESPN insider Shams Charania. DeRozan joins Nikola Jokic and Denver after spending last year with the Sacramento Kings.
Meanwhile, DeRozan now has an opportunity to join a talented roster looking to restore success in the West. This marks the NBA veteran’s fifth stop in the league starting his career with the Toronto Raptors in 2009.
DeRozan, a former college basketball star at USC, is entering his 18th NBA season. However, he’s still shown an elite ability to contribute and that’s a major win for the Nuggets heading into next year.
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Here’s how Denver will likely send out their starting five for the upcoming 2026 NBA season.
Projected Nuggets lineup with DeMar DeRozan
The Nuggets have a lot of heavy competition in the Western Conference, and truthfully DeRozan doesn’t put the team above the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs. However, the 37-year-old small forward offers another quality scorer capable of dropping double-digits.
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Last season, the Kings relied heavily on DeRozan despite his age. He still managed to contribute significantly with over 18 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
Center: Nikola Jokic
Power forward: Aaron Gordon
Small forward: DeMar DeRozan
Shooting guard: Christian Braun
Point guard: Jamal Murray
Sixth man: Cameron Johnson
How will DeRozan fit with Denver?
Denver needs another quality player to help stretch the floor alongside Jokic and Murray. DeRozan managed to play over 31 minutes per game last season for the Kings, which goes to show he’s still up for an important role in Denver.
The Nuggets certainly are tied down to DeRozan based on his one-year, $3.5 million contract. Although, his veteran status is a big bonus for a franchise looking to regain its stature in the West after falling behind the conference’s top teams.
Jokic undoubtedly remains the focal point of Denver’s offense heading into next season, but the Serbian star may be running out of time and needs a jolt to the franchise in addition to Gordon returning from injury.
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