DeMar DeRozan is officially back on the market, and every contender in the league should be paying attention.
The Sacramento Kings waived the six-time All-Star, cutting bait on the second year of his contract in a cap-clearing move for a franchise that is now firmly rebuilding. Only $10 million of his $25.7 million salary for next season was guaranteed, which made the release cheaper than trying to force a trade.
The Kings’ Reality
Sacramento is not a playoff team, and letting a 37-year-old ball-dominant guard walk is the right move for a franchise trying to figure out its next window. DeRozan was a good citizen and a productive scorer in his two seasons in Sacramento, but the fit was never quite right and the team was never quite good enough.
By waiving him, the Kings free up cap flexibility and a rotation spot for a younger player. That is the trade-off, and it is the correct one at this point in Sacramento’s arc.
Why Contenders Should Call
DeRozan averaged 18.4 points last season on nearly 50 percent shooting. Efficient, veteran, championship-ready. He can still create his own shot, he plays through pressure and he has been to the conference finals with three different franchises.
He is not a defender. Everyone knows that. But every contender needs a guy who can get you a bucket in the fourth quarter when the offense breaks down. DeRozan is still one of the best at that in the league.
On a minimum or low-tier veteran deal, he is one of the most valuable additions available in the entire market.
Where He Fits
The Knicks are the obvious call. Fresh off a title, deep bench, need for a veteran scorer off the bench. DeRozan playing behind Jalen Brunson is basketball heaven.
The Lakers are always a possibility, especially with LeBron gone and Luka Doncic needing a secondary scorer he can trust. Miami has always been a natural culture fit. The Celtics could use another veteran shot creator, though their cap is tight.
Denver is interesting too. DeRozan as a mid-post scorer in a Jokic ecosystem might unlock a whole other level of his game.
What This Means Bigger Picture
The market for aging star scorers has softened significantly. DeRozan getting waived instead of traded is a sign of how the league is changing. Teams do not want to take on old money, and DeRozan’s contract, even at half-guaranteed, was too much of a lift for anyone to want to absorb.
The good news for DeRozan is that as a free agent, he can pick his destination. That is a better deal than being traded to a bad team just because the money worked.
The Hall of Fame Case
DeRozan is at 25,000-plus career points and climbing. He is a six-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA selection and one of the most efficient mid-range scorers of his generation. The advanced stats crowd will argue about him for years, but the counting stats are Hall of Fame level and closing.
He gets one more good season with a real team, maybe two, and his final numbers are going to look really strong. Whichever contender lands him is buying a guy who still wants to prove he can play in June.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
