Report: Cavs Interested in DeMar DeRozan After Missing on LeBron James

The Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams interested in signing free agent forward DeMar DeRozan, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday.

Charania made the report during an appearance on NBA Today.

"I'm told Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan," Charania said.

Earlier this offseason, the Denver Nuggets signed Spencer Jones to a two-year, $12 million deal and moved above the second apron. A day before the June draft, the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On July 7, Matt George of Sactown Sports 1140 said the Cavaliers and the Heat were the two teams generating the most chatter around DeRozan, and that he had long viewed DeRozan as a fit in Cleveland "especially in that second unit off of the bench." Roundtable reported George's comments at the time.

The Sacramento Kings waived DeRozan on July 6, which made him an unrestricted free agent. He spent the past two seasons in Sacramento.

Across 77 games last season, all of them starts, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.2 minutes. He shot 49.7% from the field and 32.0% from 3-point range.

During the 2024-25 season, his first with the Kings, he averaged 22.2 points.

The ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft has scored 26,711 career points, which ranks 17th in NBA history. DeRozan entered last season 25th on that list with 25,292 points. On April 2 in Toronto, where he spent the first nine seasons of his career, he passed Dominique Wilkins for 17th. The six-time All-Star turns 37 in August.

LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Cleveland had pursued him since the negotiating period opened June 30. Two days after James signed, the Cavaliers agreed to terms with Mario Hezonja on a one-year, $2.8 million contract. Brian Windhorst of ESPN wrote that the February trade of Darius Garland factored into James' decision.

Cleveland carries 13 guaranteed contracts and sits roughly $25.3 million under the first apron and just under $38 million under the second.

On June 29, James Harden declined a $42.3 million player option. He is working through a new multiyear deal with the team. Cleveland acquired Harden from the LA Clippers in February in exchange for Garland and a second-round pick.

Earlier this month, Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million extension that begins in 2027-28. Evan Mobley is under contract through 2029-30. Jarrett Allen is signed through 2028-29.

Cleveland remains interested in a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga, sources told Cavs Roundtable. Contract length is the obstacle. A sign-and-trade requires a three-year contract under the collective bargaining agreement, and Kuminga's position is that he will come down from his asking price only on a one-year deal. Charania said the Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers are the primary suitors. Cleveland's interest held through the Hezonja agreement.

DeRozan has been viewed around the NBA as an affordable option for any team that was unable to land James.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson enters his third season in Cleveland. The Cavaliers went 52-30 last season. Cleveland was swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.

Thomas Bryant re-signed with Cleveland for one year and $3.5 million. Second-round pick Meleek Thomas made the 2026 NBA Summer League First Team. Thomas averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in four games in Las Vegas. DeRozan remains unsigned.