The Sacramento Kings seem to be taking the lead in the race to sign NBA player DeMar DeRozan.
The Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings are reportedly in talks to sign and trade the six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA pick, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Kings are trying to bolster their core, which already includes De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk, by adding another elite player. Although DeRozan’s name has gained prominence recently, the Kings have also been connected to trade discussions with Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma.
DeRozan, 34, has spent the previous three seasons in Chicago and is allegedly demanding $25 million annually as an unrestricted free agency. With an average of 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season, DeRozan finished second in the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year competition.
Although Wojnarowski said Sacramento had the upper hand, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs have all been cited as potential suitors for DeRozan.
On SportsCenter, Wojnarowski said, “I think DeMar DeRozan has played his last game for the Chicago Bulls.” The Sacramento Kings are the only club that has been actively pursuing a sign-and-trade option with him; they have been in communication this week.A third team participating in a sign-and-trade will be necessary. Chicago doesn’t want to take back contracts, especially big ones, even if they are ready to assist DeMar DeRozan get a deal that is more than the mid-level exception on a club without cap room. They’ll need to route a higher compensation to a third team, but those discussions are still ongoing. Although I believe there are still some possibilities for DeMar DeRozan, I believe Sacramento is the club to keep an eye on once the moratorium expires in the next 48 hours.
DeRozan is a 15-year NBA veteran who was selected ninth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft out of USC. He is a native of Compton and had a brief appearance in Kendrick Lamar’s recently released “Not Like Us” video. Before moving to Chicago, he played for the Toronto Raptors for nine years and the San Antonio Spurs for three.
Before being named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2018 and 2022, DeRozan was selected to the All-NBA Third Team in 2017. Between 2021 and 2022, he shot 50.4% from the field and a career-best 35.2% from 3-point range, averaging a career-high 27.9 points.
DeRozan has a wingspan of 6-9 and weighs 220 pounds. Before switching to small forward over the final five years of his career, he played shooting guard for the most of his career.
DeRozan has a career 3-point percentage of 29.6% and is regarded as one of the NBA’s most potent midrange scorers. He wouldn’t help Sacramento with its needs for length, height, or defense, but he would provide the Kings with another excellent shooter to complement Fox, the 2023 Clutch Player of the Year.
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According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sacramento Kings are the favorites to sign DeMar DeRozan.
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