Free agent DeMar DeRozan has been linked to two Western Conference teams who failed to make the playoffs last season.
The Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs have emerged in the sweepstakes to acquire the 34-year-old guard, according to Heat insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
This interest comes after the Miami Heat, who were considered slight favorites to land DeRozan, are not in a financial position to offer the contract he desires.
DeRozan earned a salary of $28.6 million during the 2023-24 season with the Chiacgo Bulls.
Due to the Heat's status as a luxury tax-paying team, their only viable options for signing a free agent would be offering the $5.3 million taxpayer midlevel exception or a veteran minimum contract worth potentially $3.3 million for someone with DeRozan's number of years in the league.
DeRozan previously played for the Spurs
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard previously played for the San Antonio Spurs from 2018 to 2021, arriving on the team as part of the Kawhi Leonard trade and reaching the playoffs once.
Both the Kings and Spurs are negotiating on a potential sign-and-trade transaction with the Bulls, where the six-time NBA All-Star last played from 2021 until last season.
Chicago previously made an offer of two years worth $80 million to DeRozan before he hit free agency, but the two-time All-NBA Second Team selection wanted more years on the contract.
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