Overview
- DeMar DeRozan signed with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, September 8, agreeing to a reported one-year, $3.9 million veteran-minimum deal with a $2.45 million cap hit.
- The move was player-driven in part, with reports saying Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon helped recruit DeRozan to join a contender.
- Denver executed a prior sign-and-trade that sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland to clear a roster spot and acquire future draft picks before finalizing DeRozan’s addition.
- Because the Nuggets are over the NBA’s second apron they structured the deal at the minimum and now project 14 guaranteed contracts and a large luxury-tax bill that will increase team costs.
- DeRozan arrives as a durable 17-season veteran with six All-Star selections and top-20 all-time scoring status, and his expected reserve role could jeopardize a non-guaranteed camp spot such as Lonnie Walker IV’s.