DeMar DeRozan Drops Cryptic Post After Criticism from NBA Scout amid Free-Agency Rumors

Free-agent wing DeMar DeRozan published this mysterious post on X early Monday morning as the six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA team member ponders his next move.

DeRozan, who turns 37 on Friday, has reportedly received interest from at least four teams. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on last Monday's edition of NBA Today that the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers are interested. One day later, Charania added that the Washington Wizards have also spoken with DeRozan's camp.

With the Heat's reported interest in mind, an unnamed NBA scout spoke with Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in an article published Friday about the pros and cons of different veterans Miami could add to its team.

DeRozan was mentioned. In short, the scout expressed some concerns.

"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 (12 total times, all as a rookie in 2009-10). With him, Bam and Giannis, there would be no spacing. And he's ball dominant.

"But if he could accept the role as a six-man type, he would bolster their bench and maybe finish games, too, I guess. No doubt, he can do that, as a finisher. Yeah, you could go to him. I think he's still got some go-to ability."

The scout also questioned DeRozan's defense.

"I mean, he's not going to defend," the scout told Winderman. "When he was with San Antonio, he did start to pass the ball a little. But that's not why you have him. That's not his strength. But as a sixth man, considering the other options, he's a cut above Thompson, for sure."

DeRozan has played 17 NBA seasons for the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and, most recently, the Sacramento Kings.

Last year, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game in 77 games (31.2 minutes per contest).

He can certainly bring something to the table even well into his second NBA decade. The reported interest is clearly there, but it's just a matter of when and where DeRozan lands.