Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant might not be the only notable names on the trade block this summer.
Veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported to Substack on Tuesday that the Sacramento Kings are expected to gauge the trade market for six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan. Stein notes that the Kings recently hired a new general manager in Scott Perry, leading to rumors of a possible shake-up.
DeRozan, who turns 36 years old in August, might be a little bit tough to move. He is under contract for $24.8 million in 2025-26 and $25.8 million in 2026-27. DeRozan also has $1 million per season in contract incentives.
That said, there may no longer be much of a future for DeRozan in Sacramento. The Kings traded away franchise guard De’Aaron Fox before the February trade deadline, likely signaling an imminent rebuild (in conjunction with Sacramento’s loss in the play-in tournament this year).
Meanwhile, Zach LaVine, who arrived as part of the Fox trade, is six years younger and can do a lot of the same things offensively as DeRozan (with a more reliable three-point shot too). With LaVine and star center Domantas Sabonis making over $90 million combined per season, the Kings may need to do some trimming with the rest of the roster.
DeRozan was recently in the news over a physical altercation that he got into while at a restaurant. But it turns out that he could be making another headline this summer in the form of a potential trade.
