Predicting the Nuggets' Starting Lineup and Rotation With DeMar DeRozan

Will six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan start for the Denver Nuggets?

Dec 23, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Denver Nuggets made what is potentially their final move of the offseason on Friday by signing six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. DeRozan, a potential future Hall of Famer, is a great addition for the Nuggets, but many fans are still not sure exactly what his role in Denver will be.

DeRozan has started 1,250 consecutive games (regular season and playoffs), not coming off the bench since his rookie season, which marks the eighth-longest starting streak the NBA has seen since 1970. Will he finally lose his starting job in his 18th season, though?

Since his sophomore season, DeMar DeRozan has been a starter in every game. That’s 1,250 games (regular season and playoffs), the eighth-longest such streak since starters were first indicated on box scores (1970–71).

Will he start for the Nuggets? pic.twitter.com/jZWLRNIuaD

— Crazy Stats (@NBAcrazystats) August 22, 2026

It is not out of the ordinary for stars to take a step back as they near the end of their careers, and while DeRozan still has some gas left in the tank, the 37-year-old could be best suited as a sixth man in Denver.

Predicting the Nuggets' starting lineup

Many outlets are projecting DeRozan as a starter for the Nuggets this season, but granted, that is more so because it gives them a reason to talk about the signing. In reality, this move does not change the Nuggets' starting lineup. How I think the Nuggets' starting lineup will shake out:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Jamal Murray	Christian Braun	Cameron Johnson	Aaron Gordon	Nikola Jokic

As great as DeRozan is, he fits much better in Denver's second unit than this starting lineup. Last season, the Nuggets already had the NBA's 21st-ranked defense. If they were to start DeRozan over Braun, which many outlets believe is going to happen, their defense would take an even further hit.

Discuss. pic.twitter.com/INDLvCUgJN

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 21, 2026

The Nuggets signed DeRozan knowing how great he is offensively, and likely drooling over the idea of him being a super sixth man for the team. Yes, he is a former six-time All-Star and one of the greatest mid-range scorers the league has ever seen, but he is 37 years old and just signed for the veteran minimum. We should not expect him to start.

An improving bench unit

After losing Watson, the Nuggets' bench was in disastrous shape. However, the addition of DeRozan completely revives Denver's second unit. Here is a full look at what the Nuggets will likely roll with for an improved second unit:

PG	SG	SF	PF	C
Tyus Jones	Julian Strawther	DeMar DeRozan	Spencer Jones	Marvin Bagley

Really, this bench unit is not too bad. Sure, there are still some question marks around how impactful Tyus Jones can be and whether Julian Strawther can fill the shoes of Tim Hardaway Jr., but the frontcourt trio of DeMar DeRozan, Spencer Jones, and Marvin Bagley III is solid.

Further down the bench, the Nuggets will still have EuroLeague Best Defender winner Alpha Diallo, as well as some extra frontcourt depth in Zeke Nnaji, DaRon Holmes, and athletic rookie Trevon Brazile. If he makes the final roster, they will also have Lonnie Walker IV to turn to for extra guard depth, which they will likely need.

It is hard to imagine the Nuggets signing DeRozan with a starting spot in mind. Even if he has not come off the bench in a game since 2010, he will likely be the Nuggets' new sixth man. Sure, we could see him start some games, but by the end of the season, we could also see him in the running for Sixth Man of the Year.

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