Two Western Conference Contenders Enter the Race to Sign DeMar DeRozan After Miami Heat Failed to Offer an Acceptable ContractDeMar DeRozan (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The DeMar DeRozan sweepstakes now includes the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs. The most recent information follows rumors that the Miami Heat cannot extend a competitive offer to the six-time NBA All-Star.

The Kings and Spurs, previously mentioned as competitors to sign Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, have suddenly entered the discussion over DeRozan, even if the LA Lakers are still linked to him.

DeRozan played with the Spurs for three seasons before signing a sign-and-trade agreement with the Chicago Bulls. Including the forward in their lineup caused the Spurs to miss the playoffs twice and experience one first-round elimination. In his three seasons with the Bulls, DeRozan has just once advanced to the postseason.

Barry Jackson posted, “Kings have talked to the Bulls about DeRozan sign and trade, per source. Spurs are also now another possibility. Despite DeRozan interest in Miami, the Heat is not in a position to give him what he’s seeking at this time… Heat will hope the opportunity on some player it wants arises this summer.”

The most recent information follows rumors that DeRozan’s camp will decide within a day. Now that it appears the Miami Heat will withdraw from the competition, three clubs are in the running, barring a team that signs Markkanen.

DeMar DeRozan Once Stated on Feeling ‘Irrelevant’ With the Spurs

During a prior interview for the ‘Old Man & Three’ podcast, DeMar DeRozan discussed his time as the Spurs’ head coach and his time with now-Lakers head coach JJ Redick. Despite his excellent statistical performance, the forward said it troubled him because the team was not well-known nationwide.

He said, “I had great games. I developed in a lot of great ways as a basketball player but in the same token, I just felt nonexistent for those years. It wasn’t like we were on TV, we weren’t competing. There was so much to it that was a struggle. I just felt like I was irrelevant.”

DeMar DeRozan led the team in assists per game with 6.2 and shot 49 percent while averaging 21.6 points per game throughout his three seasons with the Spurs. He acknowledged that head coach Gregg Popovich has raised his game to a new level. He now has the opportunity to sign a contract and rejoin his previous squad and coach. Or will they be beaten to it by the Kings or Lakers?