DeMar DeRozan Officially Signs With the Nuggets, Giving Nikola Jokic Another Lethal Weapon

DeMar DeRozan is officially a Denver Nugget, which means Nikola Jokic just got another weapon to pass to without looking.

Keith Smith reported that the veteran forward has officially put pen to paper on his deal with Denver. The Nuggets are adding one of the most lethal mid-range scorers in NBA history to a roster that already won a ring by executing teams to death in the half-court.

"Keith Smith reported that DeMar DeRozan has officially signed his deal with the Denver Nuggets."

DeRozan brings his elite isolation scoring to the Mile High City. While the rest of the league is obsessed with shooting 45 threes a game, Denver just acquired a guy who treats the three-point line like a restraining order.

The fit is fascinating for a core anchored by Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic makes everyone better, but DeRozan operates in the exact same elbows and free-throw line areas where the big man likes to orchestrate. Defenses are going to have to choose between doubling Jokic or letting DeRozan shoot uncontested 15-footers until the arena lights turn off.

This move immediately shakes up the Western Conference futures market. Denver was already a heavyweight, but adding a clutch-time killer like DeRozan forces oddsmakers to respect their ceiling even more in a crowded playoff race.

Now we wait to see how head coach Michael Malone staggers the rotation. If DeRozan runs the second unit while Jokic rests, the Nuggets might have just solved the non-Jokic minute disaster that has haunted them for years.