DeMar DeRozan agrees to one-year deal with Nuggets after being waived by Kings

DeMar DeRozan’s next stop in the NBA appears to be the Denver Nuggets. Yahoo Sports reported on Aug. 21 that DeRozan has agreed to sign a one-year deal with Denver after being waived by the Sacramento Kings, a move that closes one chapter of his career and quickly redirects him toward a contender.

According to the report, the contract is valued at $3.9 million for the season. DeRozan is a six-time NBA All-Star, and his long résumé of scoring and late-game shot-making has often translated into postseason value, particularly when a team needs reliable offense against stronger defensive matchups.

The timing matters for Denver’s roster planning. The Nuggets operate with a specific postseason identity built around spacing, ball movement, and high-level defense, but they also have to manage minutes for a rotation that tightens as the playoffs approach. Adding a veteran scorer like DeRozan can shift Denver’s lineup options, especially in games where secondary creation and half-court offense are at a premium.

For DeRozan, the waiver-and-sign sequence also underscores how quickly NBA markets can change during the offseason. Being waived by Sacramento creates a new window for teams looking for immediate offensive stability without requiring a long-term developmental timeline. Denver, facing the demands of a deep playoff run, is among the teams that can make that kind of veteran fit.

DeRozan’s fit with Denver will likely be evaluated in two main ways. First is whether his scoring efficiency and shot profile hold up against elite wing and switch-heavy defenses in late-game situations. Second is how his presence affects the team’s overall spacing and matchups, particularly when Denver tries to balance interior scoring threats with perimeter pressure.

Still, this report should be treated as incomplete until an official league or team transaction is confirmed. Waived players and offseason agreements can involve timing mechanics, paperwork, and league processing that can delay final announcement details.

What to watch next is Denver’s official confirmation, along with how the Nuggets incorporate DeRozan into their regular-season rotation. His first appearance with the team, and the way Denver uses him in crunch-time offensive sets, will help clarify whether this is primarily a scoring insurance policy or a deeper change to the team’s postseason game plan.