West Team Emerging as Favorite for DeMar DeRozan, And It’s Not Lakers: Report

DeMar DeRozan continues to be the ultimate massive prize left on the free agent market.

Extra information: High 5 NBA Free Brokers Nonetheless Obtainable

DeRozan, 34, is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Crew honoree who averaged 24 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals throughout 37.8 minutes per recreation final season with the Chicago Bulls.

DeRozan has been linked to a number of contenders together with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Warmth, however on Friday, a brand new favourite has emerged within the sweepstakes for the star free agent. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated on SportsCenter on Friday that the Sacramento Kings are the “group to observe” within the DeRozan sweepstakes.

“(The Kings and Bulls) have been speaking this week,” Wojnarowski stated. “They’re gonna want a 3rd group concerned in a sign-and-trade. Chicago, whereas they definitely are keen to facilitate serving to DeMar DeRozan get greater than the mid-level exception on a group that does not have cap house, they do not wish to take again contracts, or definitely important contracts. They’re going to want a 3rd group to route an even bigger wage to, however these conversations proceed.”

The Kings are coming off a 2023-24 season through which they went 46-36, however fell simply wanting a postseason look after dropping to the New Orleans Pelicans within the remaining recreation of the NBA Play-In Event. In 2022-23, the Kings had been in a position to attain the postseason after going 48-34 and ending because the West’s No. 3 seed, however misplaced within the first spherical to the Golden State Warriors.

The Kings are led by star level guard De’Aaron Fox and versatile massive man Domantas Sabonis, and have an excellent core of gamers that features Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, and Malik Monk, who agreed to an enormous four-year, $78 million extension earlier in free company.

Sacramento did transfer off of backup level guard Davion Mitchell forward of this yr’s draft, the place they chose his presumed substitute in windfall guard Devin Carter.

DeRozan would slide into the beginning lineup as a dominant playmaker and scorer, particularly within the clutch. DeRozan completed second in Clutch Participant of the 12 months voting this previous season behind Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Fox completed twelfth after profitable the award in 2022-23.

DeRozan and Fox would make up the perfect clutch duo within the league, and will catapult the Kings up the Western Convention standings.

Since Chicago is seeking to assist DeRozan earn more money with a sign-and-trade, the Kings will possible have to contain a 3rd group to tackle outgoing wage in any potential deal. As for the Bulls, they might possible obtain some type of draft compensation for dropping DeRozan.