The Golden State Warriors are reportedly having internal discussions about pursuing veteran free agent DeMar DeRozan as a potential fallback plan, should their efforts to sign LeBron James prove unsuccessful. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, DeRozan is viewed as a secondary option by several teams that are also pursuing James.
The Warriors aim to maximize the remaining years of Stephen Curry's career, and while James represents a dream scenario, the franchise cannot afford to be left without reinforcements if that pursuit falls short. DeRozan, who recently became available after his release from the Sacramento Kings, could offer the Warriors a reliable scoring option in the half-court.
While DeRozan does not possess the star power or playmaking ability of James, and may not be a perfect fit for modern spacing, he brings dependable scoring. At 36, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points per game last season and remains a proven mid-range scorer. For a Warriors team that has often relied heavily on Curry for offensive creation, DeRozan could provide an additional late-clock option and a veteran presence to stabilize possessions when offensive sets falter.
DeRozan's market is also seen as potentially advantageous. He is not expected to command a large contract, making him an attractive bargain for contending teams. This financial flexibility could be particularly important for the Warriors as they await clarity on the LeBron James situation.
Siegel also indicated that the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers are potential landing spots for DeRozan. The Heat have a long-standing connection to the player, and the Cavaliers might consider him if their pursuit of James does not succeed. The broader trend suggests that several teams are waiting to see where James, the league's most prominent free agent, commits before finalizing their own plans, with DeRozan's decision potentially linked to this timeline.