DeMar DeRozan is looking for greater than a veteran minimal contract because the Miami Warmth think about their last roster spots, in line with Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Miami at present has 12 gamers on customary contracts, with the thirteenth spot doubtlessly going to Klay Thompson if he’s purchased out by the Dallas Mavericks and agrees to affix the Warmth.
Jackson reported Wednesday that the 14th roster spot could possibly be used on a middle, whereas DeRozan and guard Gabe Vincent are among the many different gamers Miami has thought-about. Nonetheless, DeRozan desires exception cash, whereas the Warmth is at present preserving that cash for Thompson.
The monetary situation provides one other impediment to a possible DeRozan-Miami pairing. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Solar Sentinel reported beforehand that DeRozan could be limited to Miami’s veteran minimum, which might rely roughly $2.5 million towards the Warmth’s salary-cap, tax and apron figures.
DeRozan stays probably the most achieved free brokers accessible after Sacramento waived him. The six-time All-Star averaged 18.4 factors, 4.1 assists and a pair of.9 rebounds in 77 video games for the Kings throughout the 2025-26 season whereas taking pictures 49.7% from the sector and 32.0% from three-point vary.
The 36-year-old has spent almost his whole profession as a starter. DeRozan has began 1,252 of his 1,264 profession video games, along with his solely 12 reserve appearances coming throughout his rookie season with Toronto in 2009-10.
That historical past creates a possible function query in Miami, notably after the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee and continued constructing round Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins.
A league scout advised Winderman that DeRozan may nonetheless present late-game shot creation however questioned whether or not his ball-dominant, mid-range-heavy offensive type would match alongside Miami’s two frontcourt stars. DeRozan has transformed solely 30.2% of his profession three-point makes an attempt, making spacing a major consideration for a workforce constructed round Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
The scout additionally advised DeRozan would want to embrace a sixth-man function to make the match work. DeRozan has averaged 4.1 assists over his 17-year profession and posted a career-high 6.9 assists per sport with San Antonio in 2020-21, however his main offensive worth stays creating his personal shot.
Miami already added one other skilled scoring possibility this offseason by signing Tim Hardaway Jr. to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. Hardaway averaged 11.4 factors per sport in 2025-26 and affords considerably extra three-point quantity than DeRozan.
The Warmth completed 43-39 final season and entered the postseason by the play-in match earlier than their roster modified dramatically with the Antetokounmpo commerce. Miami is subsequently weighing DeRozan’s particular person scoring manufacturing towards the monetary and stylistic necessities of a roster now designed to contend round Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
