It appears the Sacramento Kings may already regret acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls and are now looking to move on.
This season didn’t go as planned for the Kings. Despite adding DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the team failed to produce meaningful results and was knocked out of the play-in tournament by the Dallas Mavericks, missing the playoffs yet again.
While it wouldn’t be fair to pin the team’s shortcomings solely on DeRozan, reports indicate the Kings are actively shopping him in hopes of creating more cap space and flexibility.
Does DeMar DeRozan Hold Significant Value in the NBA Trade Market?
Another year without a postseason appearance has pushed the Kings into shake-up mode. The franchise parted ways with general manager Monte McNair and brought in longtime executive Scott Perry to run the front office.
Although Perry has only been on the job a few weeks, expectations are high that Sacramento will overhaul its roster and staff this offseason. Trading DeRozan appears to be near the top of the list.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Kings are open to dealing DeRozan and have already begun exploring potential trades around the league.
“The focus in the California capital shifts now to what sort of dealing we could see from the Kings’ new regime. There has been no shortage of rumbles, since the hiring of Scott Perry as general manager, that Sacramento is expected to gauge the trade market for veteran swingman DeMar DeRozan.”
The Sacramento Kings are expected to explore potential trade options involving DeMar DeRozan, per @JakeLFischer
“The focus in the California capital shifts now to what sort of dealing we could see from the Kings' new regime. There has been no shortage of rumbles, since the… pic.twitter.com/RgkcX0bwc4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
If the Kings are serious about moving on from DeRozan, the timing is curious. He’s only been with the team for one season and is signed to a three-year, $73.8 million deal that runs through the 2027–28 season.
DeRozan averaged 22.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds this year, solid numbers, but many believe the 35-year-old is past his prime. That perception, combined with his contract, could make it difficult for the Kings to find a trade partner willing to meet their asking price. It is not inconceivable, however, that a team might believe Derozan can be their missing link.
Sacramento has made other changes, including hiring Mike Woodson as associate head coach. But while that may help stabilize the bench, it’s unlikely to be enough to turn the Kings into contenders. And if they do move DeRozan and begin to rebuild, it may signal another long road ahead.
Fans now wait to see what other moves Sacramento has in store during what could be a busy offseason.