The Sacramento Kings could be open to trading DeMar DeRozan this offseason, and the Miami Heat are viewed by rival teams as a logical landing spot, according to a report.
DeRozan signed a three-year contract with the Kings last offseason but, after a disappointing season that saw Sacramento fire its head coach and trade away All-Star De’Aaron Fox, the expectation is that more change could be coming to the franchise. If the Kings decide to pivot, they could explore the trade market for DeRozan.
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Heat are a potential landing spot.
“The Miami Heat are expected to be buyers this offseason and seek to make immediate upgrades around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, sources said. DeMar DeRozan is once again viewed by other teams as a potential target for Riley and the Heat,” Siegel wrote.
DeRozan would help Miami's offense.
At 35, DeRozan is no longer in his prime, but he’s still an effective shot maker. He averaged 22.2 points on 47.7% shooting last season, including 51.3% on 2s, along with 4.4 assists per game.
The Heat have shown interest in DeRozan in the past. They explored ways to add the veteran forward last summer in an effort to pair him with Jimmy Butler, but DeRozan ultimately got more money from the Kings.
With Butler gone, DeRozan could step into a lead scorer role alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. On paper, Herro’s spacing and Adebayo’s defense would be ideal skills to complement DeRozan’s preference for mid-range scoring.
Also making DeRozan a compelling offseason target: His availability. DeRozan played 77, 79, 74 and 76 games over the past four seasons. He routinely ranks near the top of the league in total minutes played. He could be an innings-eater for a team in desperate need of more consistent scoring. The Heat ranked 21st in offensive rating last season.
Of course, DeRozan isn’t at the top of Miami’s list. That would be Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant. But if the Heat were to strike out on them, DeRozan could be the backup plan.
A trade for DeRozan also wouldn’t cost Miami as much as a trade for Antetokounmpo or Durant.
(Swapping Andrew Wiggins for DeRozan, straight up, would seem to make both teams better. The Kings can use Wiggins’ defense next to Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, while DeRozan could help give Miami’s offense an identity.)
DeRozan isn’t Plan A, but as the Heat scan the league for possibilities, his name should be on a whiteboard somewhere in Kaseya Center.