THE Sacramento Kings are ready to make a run at the playoffs in the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season, especially with the new star winger DeMar DeRozan.
The Kings brought in DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal with the The Chicago Bulls earlier this summer. DeRozan’s contract will keep him in Sacramento for the next three seasons, enough time for Kings fans to learn to appreciate his pure scoring ability
David Aldridge, former field reporter and current NBA writer for The Athleticranked the Kings’ trade for the six-time NBA All-Star as the sixth-best trade by a team this offseason. Aldridge sees DeRozan as a player “who will help in so many ways.”
The Kings got one of the best shot-stoppers in the game in DeRozan, who will help them in a variety of ways. He’s a final-shot shooter and a foul impresario. And while the Kings could have used another shot-stopper to help keep the floor open for De’Aaron Fox, DeRozan will be a unique weapon that Mike Brown can use in all sorts of interesting ways with Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray.
– David Aldridge, The Athletic
IMPOSSIBLE. MARVELOUS DEMAR DEROZAN STRIKES HIS SECOND WINNING GOAL THREE IN LAST 24 HOURS BULLS WIN AGAIN pic.twitter.com/OERghngrPN
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 2, 2022
One of the key stats to watch for next season is fourth-quarter scoring, something DeRozan and his new teammate De’Aaron Fox are elite. Both finished in the top five in points by fourth quarter last season, showing the shutdown threat the Kings could bring to the table.
With so many scorers on the court, ball movement is going to be important in Mike Brown’s offensive game plan. The Kings did the second most passes per game last year, a theme that must continue to be pursued to ensure success and avoid too many “hero balls”.
DeMar DeRozan with the PASSIVITY OF THE YEAR?! pic.twitter.com/xvgGDMQEhE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2023
In addition to appreciating the value of the DeRozan trade, Aldridge said the Kings’ offseason would have been considered a good one regardless because the team kept Monk Malik and Brown has extended his contract. Avoiding head coaching issues should pay off for the Kings’ management under general manager Monte McNair.
Sacramento is set to open against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 24 in the season opener at Golden1 Center later this year.
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