The ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says Sacramento Kings are the front-runners for acquiring DeMar DeRozan.

The Kings are believed to be trying to purchase the former six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA pick as part of a deal to sign and trade together with the Bulls.

By Jason Anderson

Jul 05, 2024 01:16 PM

3 min. Read

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The Sacramento Kings appear to be being considered as the front-runners to acquire NBA player DeMar DeRozan.

The ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Kings and Chicago Bulls are discussing a trade deal that could include the 6-time All-Star and three-time All NBA selection to Sacramento.

The Kings are hoping to bring another star player into the core of De’Aaron fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Malik Monk. The Kings are also connected to trade talks with Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, but DeRozan’s name has been brought to the forefront of discussions in the last few days.

DeRozan 34, DeRozan is said to be aiming for the sum of $25 million annually as a free agent with no restrictions after playing the last 3 seasons playing in Chicago. DeRozan was second in an NBA’s Clutch player of the year award in 2012 after scoring 24.0 scores, 4.3 in rebounds 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals.

There are the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs have also been mentioned as potential contenders for DeRozan however Wojnarowski has suggested Sacramento could be the most reliable option.

“I think DeMar DeRozan has played his last game for the Chicago Bulls,” Wojnarowski stated on SportsCenter. “The one team that’s involved with him seeking to come up with a trade and sign scenario, is the Sacramento Kings, they’ve been talking about it this week.

“They’re going to require an additional team in a deal-for-trade. Chicago although they will help DeMar DeRozan earn greater than a mid-level exception for an organization that doesn’t have the space for cap space but they’re not willing to repurchase contracts, or even contracts with significant value. They’ll require a third team to transfer a larger salary to, however those discussions are ongoing. There are alternatives for DeMar DeRozan however, I believe Sacramento at the moment is the team to be watching when the moratorium expires in within the next two weeks.”

DeRozan, the Compton native who appeared in Kendrick Lamar’s newest “Not Like Us” video is 15 years old. NBA veteran who was drafted from USC as the number. 9 selection at the time of his 2009 draft. He played for nine seasons playing for Toronto’s Toronto Raptors and three years with the San Antonio Spurs before going to Chicago.

DeRozan made the All-NBA Third Team choice in the year 2017, before getting All-NBA Second Team distinction in both 2022 and 2018. He scored a career-high 27.9 points, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field. He also recorded an all-time high 35.2 percentage from 3-point range in 2021-2022.

DeRozan stands at 6’6 and 220 lbs with an average wingspan of 6-9. He played the majority of his time as a shooting guard at the beginning of his career before shifting to a small forward in the course of five years.

DeRozan is regarded for being one of NBA’s best middle-range scorers. He is a professional 29.6 percentage 3-point shooter. He won’t be able to address Sacramento’s needs for length, size and defense, however the Kings another shot maker of elite quality along with Fox which was named as Clutch’s Player of the year in 2023.