The Washington Wizards have experienced a major roster overhaul this summer. After going 17-65 last season (the worst record in the NBA), they responded with a series of moves that have drastically improved their place in the NBA hierarchy.
Still, there may be more moves to make in D.C., and veteran forward DeMar DeRozan is the most recent player to be linked to the team. After being waived by the Sacramento Kings, he’s currently an unrestricted free agent, and the Wizards are regarded as an ideal fit.
“A strong case could be made that the Washington Wizards may be the best spot for DeRozan since he could be a leader on and off the court for a team that expects to make a sizable jump during the 2026-27 season,” wrote Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. “Trae Young and Anthony Davis are two All-Stars, AJ Dybantsa is the No. 1 pick, and this team has plenty of youthful options on the rise. If they were to add DeRozan, the Wizards would all of a sudden have a deep roster with plenty of scoring options, and they would perhaps be the most underrated threat in the Eastern Conference. Washington still has its full mid-level exception ($15 million) to offer DeRozan, which is more than any other team actively pursuing him.”
The Wizards are slated to be among the league’s most improved teams this upcoming season. Alongside Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr, they added AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis, and Trae Young. They also have Khris Middleton coming off the bench. While experts are still split on their ceiling as a team, the addition of DeRozan would surely improve their standing.
The 6’6″ forward averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 49.7% shooting from the field. With previous tenures in Toronto, Chicago, San Antonio, and Sacramento, he gained valuable experience and proved he could fit in various situations. On a team like the Wizards, his veteran knowledge and versatile skillset would be huge in developing young players and providing another consistent, reliable contributor on the wing.
He’s an easy addition for the Wizards, but they aren’t the only team in pursuit right now. In fact, when it comes to DeRozan, he’s being pursued by several win-now contenders, including the Nuggets, Cavaliers, and Miami Heat. The Raptors have also emerged. So, for the Wizards to win this chase, they must sell DeRozan on their status as a rising team in the East.
Fortunately, after their latest roster makeover, the Wizards are finally in a position to win big, and that’s why their name has emerged in the race for several veteran contributors. While not the biggest market, DeMar can play a role in transforming the Wizards and redefining their legacy. In the meantime, he could make more than he would with any other team, as D.C. still has the full mid-level exception available.
At a glance, it’s a win-win for all sides, but this is one decision DeRozan is certain not to rush. In what could be the final stop of his NBA career, we can expect him to think twice before making any commitment that will decide where he plays for the foreseeable future.
