DeMar DeRozan remains one of the most accomplished free agents available after the Sacramento Kings waived the six-time All-Star, but a scout questioned whether his skill set fits Miami’s new roster built around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Friday that DeRozan could attract interest around the league but may be limited to Miami’s veteran minimum offer, which would count $2.5 million against the salary cap, tax and apron figures. A league scout told Winderman that DeRozan still has value as a scorer but raised concerns about his role with the Heat.
“Well, he’s got more left than Klay,” the scout said. “But stylistically is the problem. He’s got to come off the bench — and he’s never come off the bench in his entire career.”
DeRozan has started 1,252 of his 1,264 career games, with his only 12 reserve appearances coming during his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors in 2009-10. The 36-year-old enters free agency after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 77 games for Sacramento during the 2025-26 season while shooting 49.7% from the field.
The scout believes DeRozan could still provide Miami with late-game shot creation but questioned how his offensive style would blend with the Heat’s two franchise players.
“With him, Bam and Giannis, there would be no spacing. And he’s ball dominant,” the scout said. “But if he could accept the role as a six-man type, he would bolster their bench and maybe finish games, too.”
Miami’s roster construction changed dramatically after acquiring Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee in a blockbuster trade. The Heat finished the 2025-26 season 43-39 and entered the offseason as a play-in team, but the addition of the two-time MVP shifted the team’s focus toward championship contention.
DeRozan would provide a veteran scoring option behind a projected core featuring Antetokounmpo, Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins. However, spacing remains a major consideration. DeRozan has made 30.2% of his career three-point attempts and shot 32.0% from deep last season, relying heavily on mid-range scoring and isolation possessions.
The scout compared DeRozan favorably to other veteran options but noted his defensive limitations.
“I mean, he’s not going to defend,” the scout said. “When he was with San Antonio, he did start to pass the ball a little. But that’s not why you have him.”
DeRozan averaged a career-best 6.9 assists per game with San Antonio during the 2020-21 season and has developed into a more willing passer throughout his career, averaging 4.1 assists over 17 seasons. However, his primary value remains his ability to create difficult shots, especially in late-clock situations.
The Heat already have experienced bench scorers after signing Tim Hardaway Jr. to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. Hardaway averaged 11.4 points per game during the 2025-26 season and provides Miami with a higher-volume three-point option than DeRozan.
“If you could get DeRozan as a sixth man, considering the other options, he’s a cut above Thompson, for sure,” the scout said.
