DeMar DeRozan posts 21 points off the bench in Denver loss

Fantasy basketball: DeRozan delivered solid counting stats in 29 minutes as a reserve, but his reduced role and minutes since arriving in Denver leave him…

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 27, 2026 · Updated October 27, 2026

DeMar DeRozan posted 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 threes on 7-of-15 shooting and 5-of-5 from the line in 29 minutes off the bench on Monday, October 26, as Denver fell 134-114 to Golden State.

The line was productive for a bench player, but DeRozan's shift to a reserve role in Denver has cost him the minutes and usage that made him a top-60 fantasy asset last season. His 26.8 minutes and 23.8 per cent usage rate through three games are down from 31.2 minutes and a featured role last season (76 games), when he averaged 18.3 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 0.6 threes and 30.7 fantasy points per game as a full-time starter. In nine-category leagues, his current projection sits at -1.62 in per-game value, outside the top 130 overall. In points leagues, he projects for 26.1 fantasy points per game, well below last season's output.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan has come off the bench in all three games this season, averaging 15.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.8 minutes per game. His 53.4 per cent true shooting is slightly below league average, and the loss of nearly five minutes per game compared to last season has dented his counting-stat totals across the board. He started every game last season and averaged 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 threes, all areas where he has fallen short early this year.

Denver has no games left this week and none scheduled next week, so DeRozan will not play again until his next contest after this week. The reduced workload and bench assignment make him a difficult hold in standard formats despite the veteran pedigree. His 23.8 per cent usage rate shows he still gets touches when on the floor, but the minutes cap limits his ability to return top-100 value without a change in role.

What to do

• Drop DeRozan in shallow leagues where his current projection outside the top 130 does not justify a roster spot.

• Hold DeRozan in deeper formats only if you can afford to wait for a potential minutes increase or a return to the starting five.

• Monitor Denver's rotation closely, as any injury to a frontcourt starter could open more playing time for the veteran.

Schedule this week