The Cavaliers apparently aren’t finished looking for help on the wing.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania and Hoops Wire sources, Cleveland is among the teams showing interest in free agent DeMar DeRozan. The Heat and Nuggets are also in the mix.
“I’m told Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan,” Charania said on NBA Today.
DeRozan, who turns 37 in August, became an unrestricted free agent after being waived by the Kings earlier this month. He averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists in 77 games last season, shooting 49.7 percent from the field.
His name isn’t entirely new to Cleveland.
Matt George of Sactown Sports 1140 reported earlier this month that the Cavs and Heat were generating the most chatter around DeRozan, with George specifically mentioning Cleveland as a potential fit for him in a bench role.
The question, as usual, is what it would cost and how DeRozan would fit.
The Cavs have already agreed to a one-year deal with Mario Hezonja since LeBron James chose the 76ers, and they remain involved in the Jonathan Kuminga market. Sources have also told Hoops Wire that the Cavs have some bigger names on their radar that have yet to surface publicly.
Meanwhile, James Harden is expected to sign a new multiyear contract after declining his $42.3 million player option.
DeRozan wouldn’t solve Cleveland’s need for size on the wing, and he’s never been known as a particularly strong 3-point shooter. But he can still score.
For a Cavs team trying to keep pace with Philadelphia and the champion Knicks, that’s apparently enough to keep him on the radar.
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