DeMar DeRozan to the Denver Nuggets: What His Arrival Means for the Western Conference

Yais World Sports Media | NBA News & Analysis

The Denver Nuggets just added another veteran scorer to their championship push.

Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan is joining the Denver Nuggets on a one-year, $3.9 million deal after being waived by the Sacramento Kings. DeRozan gives Denver another proven scorer, another player who can create his own shot, and another veteran who has spent his career playing in high-pressure situations.

For a Denver team built around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, this move could be about more than simply adding another big name. It gives the Nuggets another player capable of creating his own offense when defenses load up on Jokić.

📊 DeMar DeRozan's Last Active-Season Numbers

During the 2025-26 season with Sacramento, DeRozan averaged:

• 18.4 points per game

• 2.9 rebounds per game

• 4.1 assists per game

• 49.7% from the field

• 32.0% from three-point range

• 86.8% from the free-throw line

• 77 games played

DeRozan finished the season with 1,419 points, showing that even at this stage of his career, he remains a reliable offensive weapon.

He isn't necessarily coming to Denver to average 25 points a night.

That's not what the Nuggets need from him.

What Denver needs is someone who can get a bucket when the offense becomes stagnant, attack mismatches, draw fouls, and create offense without forcing Jokić to do everything.

DeRozan can do exactly that.

🏀 What Could Denver's Lineup Look Like?

A projected Denver starting lineup could look like:

PG — Jamal Murray
SG — Christian Braun
SF — Cameron Johnson
PF — Aaron Gordon
C — Nikola Jokić

DeMar DeRozan — Sixth Man / Secondary Scorer

And that could actually be the best role for DeRozan.

Instead of forcing him into the starting lineup, Denver can allow him to lead the second unit, attack opposing benches and potentially close games when his shot creation is needed.

Imagine a second unit with DeRozan handling the ball and creating his own offense while Jokić gets a rest.

That's a luxury Denver hasn't always had.

🔥 Why DeRozan Could Be a Perfect Fit

Denver already has one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history in Jokić.

They have Murray's shot creation.

They have Aaron Gordon's physicality and versatility.

Now they add DeRozan's mid-range game and veteran experience.

DeRozan can operate in isolation, run pick-and-rolls, attack smaller defenders and get to the free-throw line.

He also doesn't need the ball every possession.

That could make him particularly dangerous alongside Jokić.

If teams focus on Jokić, DeRozan can attack.

If they switch smaller defenders onto DeRozan, he can go to work in the mid-range.

If the defense collapses, Denver has shooters around them.

🌎 How Does This Change the Western Conference?

The Western Conference was already loaded.

Adding DeRozan doesn't suddenly make Denver an automatic championship favorite, but it gives the Nuggets another weapon for what should be another extremely competitive Western Conference race.

The biggest question surrounding Denver has been whether the supporting cast can consistently create offense when Jokić is heavily defended.

DeRozan gives them another answer.

In a seven-game playoff series, having multiple players who can create their own shot becomes extremely valuable.

Denver can now potentially throw different offensive looks at opponents instead of relying on Jokić and Murray for nearly everything.

🏆 DeRozan's Championship Opportunity

DeRozan has accomplished almost everything individually during his NBA career.

He's a six-time All-Star, an All-NBA player and one of the most accomplished scorers of his generation.

But the NBA championship has remained missing from his résumé.

At this point in his career, joining Denver isn't about proving that he can carry a franchise.

It's about finding the right situation to make a championship run.

Denver could be exactly that situation.

💭 Yais World Sports Media Take

DeMar DeRozan doesn't need to be "the guy" in Denver.

That's exactly why this move could work.

If DeRozan can embrace a sixth-man or secondary-scoring role and give Denver consistent production when the offense needs a spark, he could become one of the most important additions to the Nuggets' rotation.

Jokić.

Murray.

Gordon.

DeRozan.

That's a lot of veteran scoring and playoff experience on one roster.

The Western Conference just got a little more interesting.

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Yais World Sports Media

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