The California Classic opened with a lot of excitement in Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, but it wasn’t because of anything that transpired on the court; rather, it was all about what was going on in the front office. The news on Saturday that six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan will be playing for the Sacramento Kings again in his native California excited the team’s supporters.
In a sign-and-trade agreement that sent Chris Duarte to the Chicago Bulls and veteran player Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs, the Kings acquired DeRozan. DeRozan is expected to make $76 million over the next three years, with $59 million certain in his first two years, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
A three-time All-NBA selection, DeRozan is 34 years old. The Compton native averaged 24 points and a 48% field goal percentage in his last season with the Chicago Bulls. He demonstrated his ability to set up plays by averaging 5.3 assists per game, and he demonstrated his defensive prowess by registering 1.1 steals a game. After being chosen ninth overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, DeRozan has also had great seasons with the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs.
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, two former NBA All-Stars, form a strong core for the Kings that DeRozan will join. This off-season, the Kings also re-signed guard Malik Monk and kept third-year forward Keegan Murray in the fold.
The OBSERVER has sources stating that DeRozan will play for the Kings with the number 10. Sabonis wore this number before, but he relinquished it earlier this year. To honor his father, Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, Sabonis will now wear the No. 11.
After five seasons in which he averaged 14.7 points on 47.2% field goal shooting and 38.7% three-point shooting, Barnes, 32, is departing Sacramento. The Spurs are looking on him to have a similar effect in San Antonio after he was instrumental in the Kings’ playoff comeback. Additionally, he greatly improved Sacramento via his community involvement and support of nonprofits that assist the underprivileged.
Barnes will play with future Hall of Famer Chris Paul and 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama in the next campaign.
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