After completing his three-year stint with the Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan has entered free agency and is garnering considerable attention from various NBA teams. Even at 34 years old, with his 35th birthday approaching in August, DeRozan remains one of the league’s most efficient and low-maintenance players.
It’s no shock, then, that the Miami Heat are showing interest in the six-time All-Star. According to The Athletics’ Jovan Buha, the Heat are now considered “slight favorites” to secure DeRozan’s talents. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, referenced by CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno, notes that the Sacramento Kings are also in the running as a “dark horse” candidate.
Should the Heat succeed in acquiring DeRozan, they could potentially return to championship contention after their first-round playoff exit. Integrating DeRozan into a team that has competed in two of the last four NBA Finals would likely re-establish Miami as a formidable contender.
Since Jimmy Butler’s arrival in Miami in 2019, the Heat have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in three of the past five seasons. Their early exit in 2024 was largely due to Butler’s MCL sprain during the play-in tournament.
Butler has one more year remaining on his current contract, with a player option for 2026. Despite rumors suggesting the Heat might move on from Butler, no official decisions have been made. If Miami can align with Butler and secure DeRozan, they would immediately be perceived as one of the most challenging teams in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming season.
A potential trio of Butler, DeRozan, and Bam Adebayo could position the Heat as the primary threat to Boston’s dominance. Miami defeated Boston in the 2022-23 Eastern Conference Finals despite being underestimated by many outside their local fanbase. DeRozan’s drive to win is evident in his comments about his distaste for losing and the urgency he feels as he approaches his 16th season.
DeRozan has proven to be one of the NBA’s most clutch performers in recent years, finishing second in the Clutch Player of the Year voting in 2024 and third the previous year. Pairing him with Butler, who has been a standout in clutch situations during recent postseasons, would create significant challenges for their Eastern Conference rivals.
If the Heat manage to keep Butler and other key players like Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, many analysts would likely favor them as top contenders for the next season. The Heat have been seeking another star to complement their roster, and adding DeRozan could very well be the move that propels them to the top.
