Nuggets' DeMar DeRozan turned down Heat after starting role was handed to Klay Thompson originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat had an up-and-down summer, to say the least. They were able to land Giannis Antetokounmpo but missed out on several of their top free-agent targets. Miami knows this is Antetokounmpo’s team; now, the organization has to build the right roster around him.
That was the goal throughout the summer. Finally, over the weekend, Klay Thompson was bought out by the Dallas Mavericks and agreed to join the Heat.
“Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
That left Miami with one final roster spot to fill as the offseason neared its end. Seventeen-year veteran wing DeMar DeRozan had been an option for the Heat all summer and remained in contact with the organization, but he ultimately signed with the Denver Nuggets.
“The Nuggets signed DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum, per Shams Charania. DeRozan will now fill the void left behind by Peyton Watson in Denver's wing rotation," NBA reporter Evan Sidery posted.
While it was not necessarily a surprise, DeRozan had long been viewed as a potential fit in Miami. However, a Heat insider revealed that DeRozan may have chosen Denver because he did not want to come off the bench behind Thompson after Miami had already committed to making the four-time NBA champion a starter.
“Believe the Heat will start Klay, and believe that played into Klay’s interest in the Heat. In fact, among the reasons that DeMar DeRozan turned away from the Heat might have been the writing on the wall that Klay would take that final Heat starting spot,” Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman wrote.
There is no doubt that the Heat would have improved offensively if DeRozan had joined the team. However, he is not the most reliable three-point shooter, and that was ultimately something Miami needed.
Thompson is the better shooter, and his elite shooting ability will be a major part of his Hall of Fame résumé. The five-time All-Star can space the floor for Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, while DeRozan would have provided a much different offensive fit.
At this stage of his career, it is clear that DeRozan still expects to be a starter. That may have played a major role in his decision to choose Denver over Miami.
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