Nuggets’ DeMar DeRozan has obvious path to Sixth Man award

DeMar DeRozan has never come off the bench for an entire NBA season. At 37, that may be about to change. It also could place some hardware within reach.

Logan Struck of NBA On SI predicted that DeRozan will win Sixth Man of the Year after signing a veteran-minimum contract with Denver.

The fit makes plenty of sense. The Nuggets already have an established starting unit built around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon. What they have needed is someone capable of keeping the offense functional when Jokic rests.

DeRozan can certainly handle that assignment. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds with the Kings last season. His workload likely will decline in Denver, but he should still receive plenty of opportunities to run the second unit, create shots and rescue possessions when nothing else is happening.

That’s basically the Sixth Man job description. DeRozan’s candidacy also would benefit from team success. The Nuggets won 54 games despite significant injuries last season, and Struck believes they could reach 58 if their primary players stay healthy.

Of course, DeRozan first must embrace a reserve role. He has started every game he has played since his rookie season.

If he does, Denver may have landed the league’s most accomplished bench player for the minimum.

That feels less like a bold prediction than an unusually convenient award campaign.