{"id":203496,"date":"2026-07-07T12:10:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=203496"},"modified":"2026-07-07T12:10:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:10:41","slug":"heat-raptors-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/07\/heat-raptors-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"Heat and Raptors Suitors for DeRozan and 2 Other Veterans, But They May Have to Wait for Big Domino to Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"

DeMar DeRozan<\/a> got his wish as he is now a free agent. DeRozan was waived by the Sacramento Kings earlier today, as widely expected if they couldn’t trade him. The Kings had said earlier this offseason that they were looking to unload on two of their three biggest contracts, which included Domantas Sabonis,<\/a> Zach LaVine,<\/a> and DeRozan. Where will he land?<\/p>\n

Heat and Raptors Suitors For 3 Veterans, But They May Have to Wait for Big Domino to Fall<\/h2>\n

Sacramento Kings are looking to go in a different direction after winning just 22 games last season, matching the Kings’ fewest since 2011-12 when they won 22 in a strike-shortened season. The Kings entered the offseason slightly over the first apron.<\/p>\n

DeRozan was slated to make $25 million in his final season, though only $10 million was guaranteed. By waiving DeRozan, the Kings saved at least $15 million in cap space.<\/p>\n

The Kings currently have 13 players under contract with a cap hit of $201.4 million, leaving them about $1.3 million above the luxury tax. However, the Kings have until the end of August to stretch his contract over three seasons, which would cut $6.7 million off their ledger. Thus, putting them $around $5.4 million below the tax line.<\/p>\n

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Now, the question becomes where DeRozan will end up. Rumors are already swirling.<\/h3>\n

While DeRozan may be slowing down, having produced his lowest-scoring season (18.3 points) since 2012-13, he was still highly efficient. DeRozan had 33 games with 20-plus points, topping the 30-point mark nine times, including a 41-point effort against Utah on March 15. He also produced two double-doubles with shooting splits of 49.7\/32.0\/86.8.<\/p>\n

DeRozan will clear waivers on Wednesday. So, teams can’t sign him until then. The Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers are considered possible landing spots for the Compton (CA) native.<\/p>\n

\u00a0“You know I see the\u00a0<\/span>Miami Heat. I anticipate them being interested potentially in DeMar DeRozan,” ESPN’s Anthony Slater said on SportsCenter. “<\/span>The Warriors have already been told it’s a guy they will look into at some point in the coming days, especially if they do not get LeBron James. There’s some heartwarming potential landing spots right. You know, the Clippers play in his hometown, the Raptors. He’s so famous. Those are two teams that compete that could use him. And the reality is he should be coming at such a bargain that really any team in the league that needs some bench scoring should be looking at him.”
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\ud83e\udd14 Where will DeMar DeRozan sign?
\n\ud83c\udfc0 Yaxel Lendeborg and Darius Acuff Jr.’s debut in Summer League@anthonyVslater<\/a> joins SportsCenter to discuss the trending topics in the NBA pic.twitter.com\/WPEJ3TSG7F<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n