The Cleveland Cavs recently swung and missed on a reunion with franchise icon LeBron James in free agency, leaving the team with dwindling options as the offseason continues. Although the Cavs recently made a move by signing NBA vet Mario Hezonja, the team has still left fans feeling underwhelmed with its transactions, or lack thereof, so far this summer.
Recently, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania mentioned another NBA veteran who is currently on the Cavs ‘ radar: DeMar DeRozan, who was recently released by the Sacramento Kings.
“I’m told Miami, Denver, and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan… There is a player out west that is overlapping with DeRozan as far as interest from teams. That is Klay Thompson. I’m told the Heat are among several championship-contending teams that are monitoring Thompson’s situation potentially via trade or buyout,” said Charania, per Heat Central on X, formerly Twitter.
While DeRozan is not the same player he was during his prime with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs, he is still a serviceable wing scorer who can keep defenses off-balance with his crafty footwork and arsenal of moves. DeRozan has also expanded his range out to the three-point line in recent years to try to keep pace with the modern NBA.
If he joined the Cavs, DeRozan would likely slot in as a bench wing, giving Cleveland a microwave scorer who could come in and inject the team with offense as part of the second unit. It remains to be seen what kind of salary DeRozan and his agent would command in a potential deal with the Cavs.
While he may not be LeBron, DeRozan would still be a solid consolation prize, in addition to Hezonja’s arrival.