Three Nuggets Played Key Roles in DeMar DeRozan’s Recruitment

The Denver Nuggets have had a complicated offseason up to this point. Their salary cap situation puts them at risk of paying the luxury tax and they have not made any moves to free up space. 

Instead, the Nuggets have spent this offseason signing pieces that could fit into their rotation off the bench instead of a true difference maker. 

However, that all recently changed as the Nuggets signed DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal. DeRozan, 37, is coming off a productive season with the Sacramento Kings in which he scored over 20 points a game. 

DeRozan has always been one of the more reliable offensive players in the NBA, in large part due to his effectiveness in the mid range. 

DeRozan has been able to get past defenders or shoot over them for much of his career in that area, and the Nuggets hope that’s the kind of play they’ll get from him in 2026. 

Recruiting DeRozan to the Nuggets took some effort considering he had multiple options on where he could spend his next season. 

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic were all in communication with DeRozan to bring him on board in Denver. 

Assistant coach Jared Dudley was also apart of the group that recruited DeRozan, and with these efforts they set themselves apart from teams like the Cavaliers, Pistons and Heat. 

In terms of what DeRozan has to offer, he makes the Nuggets more of an offensive threat a whole. With the addition of him, the roster now has multiple dynamic wings who can handle the ball and score. 

DeRozan and Cameron Johnson could be a tough tandem for teams to stop next season and it could open things up for the Nuggets. 

Defensively, it will be interesting to see how the team will adjust now that they have DeRozan. He has been a capable defender for much of his career, but at 37 years old he may need more help on that side of the ball. 

Denver has a chance to redeem themselves next season after a disappointing first round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Nuggets will have to rely on DeRozan to be a key piece offensively come playoff time, especially now that they’ve lost Peyton Watson. 

If DeRozan can still be that same player who can give you 20 points per game, the Nuggets will have a very high ceiling.