If DeMar DeRozan isn't willing to embrace a bench role for the Miami Heat, it could complicate his potential fit on the team if the two sides' paths do end up crossing this summer.
That's because if DeRozan is going to make sense as a Heat addition, especially next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, it's more than likely going to have to work with him coming off the bench.
On paper, it's hard to envision how DeRozan would fit next to Giannis and Bam in the starting 5, especially if Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins are the two other players rounding out that lineup. Because of spacing, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra would have his hands full in trying to scheme ways to make that offense flow without the necessary shooters in place.
DeMar DeRozan needs to come off the bench for it to work in Miami
That's why, if the Heat are going to sign DeRozan, it would almost certainly have to come under the pretense of an agreement where he would be willing to come off the bench. However, NBA insider Jake Fischer does throw some cold water on that entire idea.
According to Fischer, DeRozan didn't appear willing to embrace such a role in Sacramento with the Kings last season. Of course, it would be a completely different situation for DeRozan in Miami than it was in Sacramento. Does that mean DeRozan would be more willing to embrace a sixth-man role for the Heat? There's no guarantee of that, but that could be the case.
However, if he still has any hesitance about accepting a bench role, it could completely nuke the potential fit for DeRozan on the Heat.
Or, at the very least, it would add some hesitance to the Heat's front office (and the coaching staff) about making such a move.
But assuming the Heat have been in communication with DeRozan's camp, you'd imagine the two sides have already discussed what the potential role would look like. And what it might not. If DeRozan is truly open to the idea of helping this Heat team take another step forward in the Eastern Conference (even after the addition of Giannis), though, maybe DeRozan would be open to anything at this point.
At 37 years old, despite his consistent production in recent years, is DeRozan at a point where he could still demand a starting spot? That could be one of the biggest questions that may determine whether the move to sign DeRozan makes sense for the Heat or not.
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