DeMar DeRozan remains a free agent after the Sacramento Kings waived him on July 6 following two unproductive years with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Only $10 million of his $25.7 million salary is guaranteed; Sacramento can stretch the rest over three seasons if needed, with a decision by the end of August. 

At 36, with his 37th birthday in August, DeRozan is available to any team willing to meet his price. He seems to be waiting for LeBron James to decide, holding up his market as he's lower on the free-agent board.

The Atlanta Hawks haven't been reported as an interested suitor for DeRozan. The front office still has unfinished business with Jonathan Kuminga in free agency. The general focus remains to retool around Jalen Johnson after trading Trae Young and Kristaps Porziņģis last season. The question becomes a matter of the best way to achieve that.

Atlanta's wing rotation faces questions before training camp, raising whether a low-cost DeRozan addition makes sense as the team aims to return to the East's top tier after pushing the Knicks to six games.

DeRozan likely earns a veteran's minimum or part of a midlevel exception. The Hawks can afford this, reflecting a front office that prefers re-signing free agents like CJ McCollum on a one-year, $21 million deal over trading for outsiders.

Signing DeRozan insulates the Hawks if they lose Kuminga, who they passed on with a $24.3M option and are slow to trade; Cleveland and others consider sign-and-trade. Losing Kuminga means losing a key bench scorer from the Knicks series, but DeRozan's reliable midrange game doesn't depend on plays. 

Questions arise about how DeRozan fits Atlanta's roster, given he shot 49.7% from the floor and 32.0% from three last season with Sacramento, and remains a dependable scorer in isolation. Atlanta, which finished strong at 20-6 and pushed the Knicks in the first round, could benefit from a veteran who creates his own shot late in close games, as they relied on Johnson, Alexander-Walker, and McCollum.

There are concerns about DeRozan limiting the Hawks' defense. While Atlanta has strong defenders like Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu, DeRozan, even in his prime, was only average defensively. At 37, he'd likely be a target in playoff series against top East contenders.

Atlanta already potentially has more shot creators than touches to go around among Johnson, Alexander-Walker, McCollum, and Kuminga, if he stays. DeRozan doesn't shoot enough 3-pointers to space the floor in a necessary way, especially after Daniels' 3-point percentage collapsed from 34.0% in 2024-25 to 18.8% last season. Adding another ball-dominant mid-range scorer could prove to overcomplicate the situation.

Atlanta added a few players using the 2026 NBA Draft, including Kingston Flemings, Zuby Ejiofor, and Henri Veesaar. The team hasn't added outside veterans, probably preferring a young two-way wing like Trey Murphy III to fit the core's timeline. A short-term deal for 37-year-old DeRozan makes sense if immediate competitiveness outweighs development.

There are some roster and salary cap limitations to consider. The Hawks are near the luxury tax and first apron after guaranteeing Buddy Hield's $9.6M and re-signing Jock Landale for $14 million. For a team that likely needs to see Zaccharie Risacher one more season to determine if he's a factor in their future plans, crowding the wing may not be the preferred approach.

It also remains to be seen what Atlanta would get back in a sign-and-trade for Kuminga if the front office went that route. Any signing for a veteran player would need to wait until it's known what will ultimately transpire, whether Kuminga returns or exits this way.

The on-court fit is the main concern. Adding a shot creator helps ease pressure in the half-court but raises real issues with floor spacing and being a defensive target. 

If Kuminga re-signs, there is no room for DeRozan. Even if he leaves, the Hawks still need to figure out their plan for Risacher on the wing coming off the bench, and whether they want to take the ball out of Flemings' hands more by adding a veteran wing who is best at creating his own shot.