DeMar DeRozan had numerous suitors during free agency, but ultimately agreed to a three-year, $76 million contract with the Sacramento Kings on July 6.
A insightful report DeRozan’s future with the Chicago Bulls emerged after the franchise traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 20.
“A source told the Sun-Times late Saturday night that the Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey trade was the final straw in DeRozan’s mind for any type of return, as the 34-year-old will now use his free agency to shop elsewhere,” the Chicago Sun-Times wrote on July 1.
On Monday, the three-time All-NBA forward appeared on the Paul George show “Podcast P” He revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers were among four teams on his radar.
“The Philly (76ers) were definitely an option,” DeRozan said when asked about his potential landing spots. “The Lakers were always an option. The (Los Angeles) Clippers were an option. And the (Miami) Heat were an option. I would say those teams were, without a doubt, the real personal, legitimate options that I was considering.”
Last season, DeRozan averaged 24 points per game on 48 percent shooting and 5.3 assists. It would have been interesting to see DeRozan develop under new coach JJ Redick, but he should be in good hands under Mike Brown in Sacramento.
The idea of sharing the court with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in 2024-25 and beyond was appealing, but there’s a reason DeRozan chose to bolster the Kings’ roster.
“I always remember the last couple of years where I always watched them shine and win,” DeRozan said during the segment. “That’s definitely something you always want to be a part of, it’s a contagious culture of an organization that wants to win. When I watched all that, I just felt like it fit.”
DeRozan may not be at his best anymore, but his services will benefit Sacramento. The mid-range specialist has been shooting intermediate shots at a respectable rate since arriving in the NBA in 2009, and he’s expected to use that skill set in a Kings uniform. He also exudes the confidence, intricate shooting prowess and “good game” mentality needed to take control of games in the final minutes.
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