DeMar DeRozan’s Career Takes Stunning Turn After 17 Years in the NBA As Nuggets Reveal New Plan

Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman has confirmed that veteran wing DeMar DeRozan will serve as the team's primary reserve option off the bench for the 2026–27 campaign. The move marks a significant role shift for the 37-year-old six-time All-Star, who spent nearly his entire 17-year career as a starter before joining Denver on a one-year, $3.9 million veteran minimum contract.

Denver will keep its core starting unit of Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic intact. DeRozan made his first reserve appearance for Denver in an exhibition against the Utah Jazz, scoring five points in 10 minutes as Adelman explores rotations to boost bench scoring when Jokic rests.