’Tied to LeBron James in an Unusual Way’ — NBA Insiders Shed Light on 6-Time All-Star’s Free-Agency Waiting Game
· Yahoo Sports
After a frenzied opening week to NBA free agency, business has slowed as teams await LeBron James’ next move. The four-time MVP is reportedly weighing his options after announcing late last month that he wouldn’t return to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
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As James takes his time, the fate of a six-time All-Star appears to be on hold.
DeMar DeRozan’s Free Agency Reportedly Hinges on LeBron James
Teams looking for reinforcements received welcome news on Monday when the Sacramento Kings waived DeMar DeRozan. The veteran forward averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game this past season, making him one of the top free agents on the market.
Despite DeRozan’s availability, league-wide interest in him may not surge until James declares where he wants to play next, according to NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Jake Fischer.
”DeRozan is tied to LeBron James in an unusual way,” Windhorst said on Wednesday’s edition of “NBA Today.”
“I believe that some of the teams that are waiting on an answer from LeBron James, teams like Miami, also could be DeRozan teams if LeBron doesn’t land there. So, I would keep an eye on LeBron’s decision affecting DeMar DeRozan’s decision. Will DeMar be willing to wait?”
Fischer added on a Bleacher Report livestream that DeRozan’s “outcome will be a ripple effect of what happens with LeBron James.”
“If [James] doesn’t go to Golden State, and it doesn’t seem likely now, then the Warriors, I think, will give real consideration to bringing on DeMar in some type of veteran minimum capacity,” Fischer speculated.
“If LeBron doesn’t go to Miami, DeMar DeRozan, to my understanding, has always had interest in going to Miami.”
The Kings guaranteed $10 million of DeRozan’s $25.7 million contract before agreeing to mutually part ways with him. Sacramento granted his request to seek out a championship-contending team. Now, interested suitors could try to sign him to a bargain deal.
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If DeRozan is available for the veteran minimum, then he might not be willing to play James’ waiting game. He could sign with any title contender willing to offer him that contract. There is also a scenario where both DeRozan and James could end up on the same team.
Besides the Warriors and the Heat, several other franchises are among the 22-time All-Star’s suitors, according to his agent, Rich Paul.
James and DeRozan have no deadlines to make a decision. But it seems like the former may have to announce his move first before the latter can better gauge teams’ interest levels.