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 Accessible

DeRozan, 34, is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Staff honoree who averaged 24 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals throughout 37.8 minutes per sport 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 “staff to look at” within the DeRozan sweepstakes.

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

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 09: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls reacts in opposition to the New York Knicks through the first half on the United Middle on April 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. A brand new…
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 09: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls reacts in opposition to the New York Knicks through the first half on the United Middle on April 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. A brand new staff has emerged as the favourite within the DeRozan sweepstakes.

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The Kings are coming off a 2023-24 season by which they went 46-36, however fell simply in need of a postseason look after shedding to the New Orleans Pelicans within the closing sport of the NBA Play-In Event. In 2022-23, the Kings had been capable of 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 ideal 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 Yr 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 most effective clutch duo within the league, and may catapult the Kings up the Western Convention standings.

Since Chicago is seeking to assist DeRozan make more cash with a sign-and-trade, the Kings will probably must contain a 3rd staff to tackle outgoing wage in any potential deal. As for the Bulls, they might probably obtain some form of draft compensation for shedding DeRozan.