Warriors having internal conversations about DeMar DeRozan while waiting on LeBron James
The Golden State Warriors’ Plan B may already have a name.As the franchise waits to see whether LeBron James becomes a realistic option, DeMar DeRozan has emerged as a veteran fallback worth watching.According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Golden State is expected to have internal conversations about pursuing DeRozan after his release from the Sacramento Kings.“DeRozan’s kind of a 1B plan right now for some of these teams that are looking at LeBron James,” Siegel said on “Clutch Scoops.” “The Golden State Warriors are a team that is going to have internal conversations about pursuing DeMar DeRozan.”That matters because the Warriors are still trying to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry’s career.
LeBron remains the dream scenario, a late-career partnership between two players who defined an era from opposite sides of the NBA Finals.But if that pursuit falls short, Golden State cannot afford to leave Curry waiting without reinforcements.AdvertisementDeRozan would not bring the same kind of star power or playmaking as James.
He is not a perfect modern spacing fit, either.But he would bring something the Warriors could use: reliable half-court scoring.Even at 36, DeRozan remains a proven bucket-getter.
He averaged 18.4 points per game last season in Sacramento and has long been one of the league’s most dependable mid-range scorers.For a Warriors team that has too often leaned on Curry to create offense from scratch, DeRozan could give Golden State another late-clock option and a veteran who can calm possessions when the system stalls.His market could also make him attractive.
DeRozan is not expected to command a massive deal, which means contenders may view him as a bargain veteran addition.That could matter for the Warriors, especially if they preserve financial flexibility while waiting on James.Siegel also mentioned Miami and Cleveland as possible landing spots.
The Heat have long been linked to DeRozan, while the Cavaliers...