NBA Rumors: DeMar DeRozan Linked to Heat amid Lakers Buzz in Free Agency

DeMar DeRozan could be headed to the Miami Heat.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that DeRozan and the Heat have mutual interest in unrestricted free agency, but the Los Angeles Lakers, among other teams, also are pursuing the forward.

DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 79 games for the Chicago Bulls in 2023-24.

Bringing in DeRozan is not just as simple as getting him to sign on the dotted line. The Heat currently have just $3.8 million in second apron space, per Spotrac, and the six-time All-Star will surely get much more than that on his next contract.

This likely means that bringing in DeRozan would necessitate a move that dumps some salary, or Miami committing to the high penalties that go with exceeding the second apron. This could be worth it to make an all-in push for 2024-25 before Jimmy Butler potentially hits the free-agency market, but it would also hurt the chances at the Heat retaining him beyond next season.

Still, DeRozan could be a strong fit for a team with championship aspirations. The Heat went 46-36 and fell to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. However, Miami reached the NBA Finals in 2022-23, and adding DeRozan could be a move that pushes the Heat back toward the top of the Eastern Conference.