Heat have expressed interest in DeMar DeRozan, DeRozan mutually interested

“The Lakers have interest. How do they acquire DeMar DeRozan. That becomes a much different scenario. LeBron James has talked about a willingness to take significantly less money to open up their mid-level exception. I think in DeMar DeRrozan’s case, and it may not be as appealing to him, but it may look like a one-year deal somewhere. Let the market reset next year because if you do a sign-and-trade, it’s got to be at least three years. And now you’re locked into a three-year deal at a number you may not like. The Lakers are interested, but is there a mechanism that would allow them to create a slot to acquire him. That’s going to be the harder part. It’s tough when you give out the big money, there’s not always money left for a guy like DeMar DeRozan who was an All-Star recently, but we’ll see what happens with him.” -via RealGM / July 2, 2024

With DeMar DeRozan leaving the Chicago Bulls this offseason and a dearth of teams with cap space, he may decide to take a one-year deal at a lower contract figure than anticipated in order to become a free agent again next season when far more teams project to have cap space. If DeRozan chose to do a sign-and-trade agreement, he would be locked into a three-year deal and become unable to recoup his value. “Well, I think there’s interest in DeMar DeRozan, but the kind of contract that he might want just is not going to be available,” said Adrian Wojnarowski on a Tuesday morning Sports Center appearance. “It’s not left out there in the marketplace. The Bulls are more than willing to work on a sign-and-trade agreement to get him the years and money that he might want, but with the new salary cap rules, those are much more difficult for teams to do. -via RealGM / July 2, 2024

If DeRozan took that, Miami would be just below the second apron and would not be able to re-sign Caleb Martin or Haywood Highsmith, who remain in a holding pattern while both those players and the Heat explore all their options. The other option for DeRozan with Miami, which would get DeRozan a salary more in line with his production: If the Heat trades a player earning decent money to a team with cap space — either for draft picks or a player making significantly less. That would be necessary to do a sign-and-trade with the Bulls, because teams above the first apron cannot make sign-and-trades. The Heat has 11 players under contract, not counting Orlando Robinson, whose $2.2 million salary isn’t guaranteed. If Robinson is removed from the equation, the Heat’s payroll – from a tax/cap calculation standpoint – is $180.2 million, counting minimum cap holds for two open roster spots. -via Miami Herald / July 2, 2024