Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan has agreed to sign with the Denver Nuggets on a one-year, $3.9 million deal, sources told ESPN on Friday.
DeRozan landed on the Nuggets after speaking to the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans during free agency, choosing a significant role in Denver and a chance to compete in the West. The Nuggets' front office and coaches made a strong recruitment effort in recent weeks to secure DeRozan's commitment, showing him how he would complement Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray as an additional playmaker. He also gives the Nuggets a veteran backcourt presence after sending young, versatile wing Peyton Watson to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade.
There was mutual interest between DeRozan and the Heat, and Bam Adebayo and DeRozan communicated throughout the summer, sources said. But the Heat ultimately made Klay Thompson their priority and are expected to sign Thompson once he clears waivers after a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN.