Sacramento Kings

DeMar DeRozan will look to elevate the Sacramento Kings to another level during the upcoming season after they acquired him from the Chicago Bulls via a sign-and-trade this offseason, but he reportedly explored a number of other options as well.

Sam Amick and Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported Friday that DeRozan looked into possibly joining the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs as he looked for "a market value deal" this offseason.

Yet he grew "more fond of the Sacramento idea as time went on. His longtime agent, Aaron Goodwin, flew with him from his hometown in Los Angeles to Sacramento, then drove him around the city and suburbs to give him a sense of what the area had to offer."

DeRozan ended up with a three-year, $73.9 million deal with the sign-and-trade and will be counted on as a veteran leader for a Kings team looking to make noise in the loaded Western Conference.

"I feel like that's what we need more," Domantas Sabonis said of DeRozan. "We need more vets around. We're kind of a young team. Really good players, but at the same time, it never hurts to have a Hall of Famer on your team. I've always wanted one of these big-time NBA players on the team for confidence, for backup, for everything."

Amick and Slater noted Sabonis and DeRozan worked together during the offseason with the latter sharing some plays he used with Andre Drummond when he was with the Bulls.

"He tells you one way and you're like, 'Wow, he's picked (Carmelo Anthony)'s brain, Kobe's brain, everyone's,'" Sabonis said.

Sacramento broke a playoff drought that dated back to 2006 during the 2022-23 campaign but then lost in the play-in tournament last season.

But expectations are now higher with the combination of Sabonis, DeRozan and De'Aaron Fox surrounded by quality role players such as Keegan Murray and a healthy Malik Monk. It won't be easy in the Western Conference, but anything less than a playoff run would be a disappointment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSPOD2BWkRs

The same can be said for those other teams DeRozan explored, as the 76ers and Heat are looking to be threats in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan could have teamed up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia or Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in Miami and formed quite the Big Three at either location.

Golden State would have meant plenty of space to operate given the defensive attention Stephen Curry draws, and San Antonio would have meant going back to a Spurs team he played for from 2018-19 through 2020-21.

It also would have meant pairing up with Victor Wembanyama, which would have been a troubling notion for the rest of the Western Conference.

However, DeRozan ended up on the Kings and will be a veteran leader as they chase a playoff spot in 2024-25.

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox explained Friday why he is taking it slow when it comes to signing a contract extension.

According to Sam Amick and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Fox suggested that he wants to make sure the Kings are built to win moving forward before making a commitment:

"For one, I'm in no rush. For two, I just want to make sure where we're at, because people have seen the league—like, turnover of a team can happen in the matter of a month or two or six months. I mean, if we were contending for a championship, [it might be different]. Like, obviously, [the Boston Celtics'] Jayson [Tatum] just won a championship or [the Miami Heat's] Bam [Adebayo], who has been to the Finals twice. I'm just using people who are in my class [who have signed extensions]. They've already kind of been through that, done that. So yeah, they have that security of [having done] that. For me, obviously, we're continuing to build."

Fox went on to explain that while remaining with the Kings for his entire career and being a perennial contender is his ideal scenario, he doesn't want to act too hastily:

"I would love to be here for my entire career, to be on one team, to be in one city, for my entire career. It's not unheard of, but it doesn't happen a lot, so to be in that category would definitely be great. That's something that's amazing. You're able to obviously build your life, your family, your entire career, in one place. That's everybody's dream. No one wants to just be bouncing around teams.

"But I want to make sure that we're in that position to be competing and competing at a high level for a long time, not just fighting for a playoff spot. Obviously, the way that the West is going, we have to continue to get better as players and as a team, as an organization. And, I mean, I'm not saying I'm not staying or that I am staying. But I would love to be here, and I want to make sure that we're competing at a high level."

Fox is currently eligible for a three-year, $165 million maximum extension, but his agent, Rich Paul, is looking to land him an even bigger contract during the 2025 offseason, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

The one-time All-Star can become a free agent in 2026, and according to Amick and Slater, testing free agency is "in play" for Fox, especially if he doesn't earn an All-NBA selection, which would be required for him in order to receive a five-year, $345 million supermax deal.

Selected fifth overall in the 2017 NBA draft out of Kentucky, Fox is set to enter his eighth NBA season, all of which have been spent in Sacramento.

In 469 career regular-season games, Fox boasts averages of 21.2 points, 6.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers made and 1.4 steals, while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 33.4 percent from beyond the arc.

The speedy guard reached the next level during the 2022-23 season, as he played in 73 games after playing in fewer than 60 games in each of the previous three campaigns.

Fox also averaged 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.1 steals per game en route to his first All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selections. He also won the Clutch Player of the Year Award and was 11th in NBA MVP voting.

Although he was not named an All-Star or a member of an All-NBA team last season, he was arguably even better than he was in 2022-23, setting new career highs with 26.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 three-pointers made and a league-leading 2.0 steals per game in 74 contests.

The Kings took a step back as a team, though, going 46-36 and missing the playoffs after reaching the postseason with a 48-34 mark the previous year.

Sacramento got aggressive during the offseason, though, adding six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan to a core that already includes Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Malik Monk, among others.

That roster should be good enough to compete for a playoff spot and to potentially even do damage in the postseason, but it won't be easy in a stacked Western Conference that includes the likes of the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Given the situation, there will perhaps be pressure on the Kings to have a strong season in 2024-25, as another year outside the playoffs could conceivably prompt Fox to consider other options.

Sacramento Kings star point guard De'Aaron Fox had the opportunity to cash in on a contract extension this year, but he reportedly has his eyes set on an even bigger payday.

Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Fox's representative, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, said the floor general is bypassing a three-year, $165 million maximum extension this year, as he will be eligible for a four-year, $229 million maximum extension next summer. If he makes an All-NBA team this season, he would be eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax deal.

Fox is under contract through the 2025-26 campaign. He's slated to make $34.8 million this season and $37.1 million next year.

Charania noted that the 26-year-old "has made clear publicly and privately that he wants to be a significant part of the future in Sacramento." He and other key players reportedly worked closely with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and franchise officials on this offseason's major decisions, which included the acquisition of veteran shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.

Fox is coming off a stellar 2023-24 season in which he averaged career highs of 26.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and a league-leading 2.0 steals while also adding 5.6 assists. He was one of the most clutch performers in the league, ranking second in total points scored in the fourth quarter behind his new teammate DeRozan.

The Kings went 46-36 last season but fell short of the playoffs after losing the second game of the play-in tournament to the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento has turned the corner over the last few seasons to establish itself as a perennial postseason contender, largely thanks to Fox's development into a reliable No. 1 option.

After bypassing an extension this year, Fox will undoubtedly be motivated to prove he made the right decision to bet on himself and chase a larger deal next summer.

The Sacramento Kings traded forward Jalen McDaniels and a second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Sacramento Kings are trading F Jalen McDaniels and a second-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VzGWWFz6kJ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2024

Per Charania, the Spurs plan to waive McDaniels while the Kings will create roster flexibility for a "potential addition down the line" due to the move.

The 26-year-old was initially acquired by Sacramento in a June trade with the Toronto Raptors for a package headlined by Davion Mitchell and a 2025 second-round pick.

McDaniels is on an expiring contract and will earn $4.7 million during the 2024-25 season. San Antonio can use its $8 million room mid-level exception to add him while Sacramento moved from $1 million below the luxury tax to $5.8 million under the tax following the deal, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The Kings now have two open roster spots.

McDaniels was originally selected by the Charlotte Hornets with a second-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft. In addition to the Hornets and Raptors, he also spent 24 games with the Philadelphia 76ers during his 2022-23 campaign.

He owns career averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.3 minutes per game on 44.9/32.2/77.7 shooting splits.

JALEN MCDANIELS ON THE BREAK 😳

Bucks-Raptors | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/NVGQdLblOz pic.twitter.com/ar3prqIBfw

— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2023

McDaniels struggled with Sacramento to start the preseason, recording just six points and five rebounds in 25 minutes on 2-9 shooting during two appearances with the team. He also missed all five of his three-point attempts.

Given his lack of preseason production and the offseason acquisition of star forward DeMar DeRozan, it may have been difficult for McDaniels to earn minutes in head coach Mike Brown's rotation. Sacramento will also have some more flexibility for a possible midseason move.

For the Spurs, they gained a bit of draft capital as they continue to focus on building around 2023-24 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama.

One of the most unstoppable things in the NBA is star power working together in unselfish ways to torch opposing defenses.

To hear Domantas Sabonis tell it, there's going to be plenty of that for the Sacramento Kings during the upcoming season after they added DeMar DeRozan to a lineup that already included himself and De'Aaron Fox.

"The reason me and Fox work is because there are no egos," Sabonis told Bleacher Report. "We both just want to win, he lets me rock and I let him rock. DeMar is even more of that. We're just going to play off each other. If they want to put the best defender on DeMar instead of Fox that night, great. And vice versa. We're just going to play. We're all here for the right reasons and at the points of our careers where we just want to win."

That attitude is far from surprising, as NBA insider Chris Haynes reported in July that Fox "played a pivotal role" in recruiting DeRozan to the Kings this offseason and is "ecstatic about partnering together on the court."

Sacramento ultimately acquired DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls via a sign-and-trade and agreed to a three-year, $74 million deal. It was a massive move from a team looking to take the next step in the loaded Western Conference, as the six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection is a veteran leader and postseason-tested presence with 63 playoff games on his resume.

While DeRozan is 35 years old, he was still excellent last season with Chicago and averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 48 percent from the field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTN4vP2jlbA

He was also a finalist for the NBA's 2023-24 Clutch Player of the Year that Stephen Curry won, underscoring his ability to carry a team in the most important moments. Considering the Kings figure to have plenty of those important moments in a deep Western Conference, they are going to need someone to turn toward for baskets and leadership.

"He's going to bring that vet presence and IQ," Sabonis said of his new teammate. "I've worked with him a couple weeks this summer, and I've learned a lot through him. He's been at the highest level and played with everyone. Just to pick his brain has really opened my eyes already. I can't wait to see what's going to happen throughout the year and how my other teammates are going to feed off him."

Opposing defenses collapsing on DeRozan also means better looks for Sabonis on the post and Fox on the perimeter. That is especially welcome news for the latter after he established himself as one of the better guards in the league.

The 2022-23 All-Star was arguably even better last season while averaging 26.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and a league-best 2.0 steals per game behind 36.9 percent shooting from deep. His three-point shooting took an important jump after he connected on just 29.7 percent in 2021-22 and 32.4 percent in his All-Star campaign.

All that star power as well as the return of key role players in Keegan Murray and a healthy Malik Monk means expectations are even higher in Sacramento after the team settled for a play-in tournament spot at 46-36 last season.

So how will Sacramento live up to those expectations?

"Our mentality," Sabonis said. "Come out and take every game seriously. We felt that last year when we beat the best teams and lost to some of the worst teams in the standings. It put us in a situation where we had to play the play-in game. That eventually cost us the playoffs. By us having a vet presence like DeMar and other guys and us realizing what we did wrong last year. That's the main thing, our mental focus."

Even with improved mental focus, taking that next step in the Western Conference won't be easy.

After all, the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans are all eyeing potentially deep playoff runs with only so many spots to go around.

But being included in that group is a welcome change for the Kings, who aren't that far removed from a troubling streak.

The franchise missed the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons from 2006-07 through 2021-22 and notably traded for Sabonis during that 16th year. While that move sent Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers, it is easy to see it as a win-win trade in hindsight given the overall success both squads have enjoyed.

Sabonis helped Sacramento break that playoff streak in 2022-23 when the team lost a back-and-forth seven-game thriller against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the first round, but the goal is advancing even further this time around.

"We all have to be on our A game," Sabonis said. "There are a lot of expectations this year, especially after breaking the playoff streak. The fans want a lot, and they deserve it. They're there for us. It's basically us staying healthy, everyone being on their A game and really pushing each other to make those extra sacrifices. When the season winds down, you realize, 'damn I could have done this, this and that.' There's no time to look back."

The Kings may not have time to look back on the court during the upcoming season, but fans hoping to look back on the 2023-24 campaign before the Oct. 24 opener can do just that with the Wednesday release of the Netflix Series Starting 5.

The 10-part series provides a behind-the-scenes look at last season through Sabonis, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum and Anthony Edwards and captures what it means to go through an entire NBA campaign both on and off the court.

"Once you get a call from Netflix and being a part of this group of players is an honor," Sabonis said of having the opportunity to work with the show. "I thought it would be amazing to put Sacramento and the organization on the map and literally show people an inside look at what goes on because it's definitely a great organization."

A major part of the show isn't just basketball but providing a look at family life, which was important for the Kings star.

"It's really cool, especially for fans," he said. "I'm a fan of other sports around the world, and when you really get to see other peoples' lives and how they do things is super interesting. You can also learn from them. Just letting people into our home, our off days, what we do on the road and all this stuff is going to be really cool for people to see and the fans to know how much effort and sacrifice we make that's not seen."

That behind-the-scenes sacrifice has helped Sabonis become a star in his own right beyond just the headline names of Fox and DeRozan.

The three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection can score down low, extend his offensive game beyond the arc (37.9 percent last season) and anchor the interior defense. He finished in 10th place in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, which is all the more impressive because he is one of the league's best big-man facilitators on the other side who averaged 19.4 points and 8.2 assists per game.

But part of his game that jumps out the most is how he controls the boards after leading the league in rebounding in each of the last two seasons.

"It just happens," Sabonis said of besting the NBA in rebounding. "It all depends on the season, how many minutes you play, how many games you play, if you're good on defense so teams miss more. The more games you win, the more rebounds there are. If you're losing, there are no rebounds because the ball is going through the net. These are things you can't control."

If things go according to plan for the Kings this season, there won't be much losing.

That means more rebounding and another opportunity for Sabonis to further cement himself as one of the game's better players.

The Sacramento Kings picked up the fourth-year option for forward Keegan Murray on Thursday, via James Ham of The Kings Beat.

Kings pick up fourth year option on Keegan Murray. pic.twitter.com/c8QMROxfUN

— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) October 3, 2024

The option is worth $11.1 million and will keep Murray under contract through the 2025-26 season, per Spotrac.

The 24-year-old sharpshooter has developed into a key piece of Sacramento's rotation since he was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, starting in 155 of 157 games throughout his budding career.

Murray earned the starting job in the third game of his career and never looked back. He averaged 12.2 points per game in his first year, while his 206 three-point shots represented a new single-season rookie record.

The former Iowa standout improved his scoring average to 15.2 points per game in his second season. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals each night on 45.4/35.8/83.1 shooting splits.

Murray's ability to space the floor is crucial for a Kings offense built around ball-dominant stars such as De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. He hit 162 catch-and-shoot threes last season, the seventh-highest mark among all players in the Western Conference (via NBA.com).

The Kings have been protective of Murray in trade talks. Sacramento reportedly wasn't interested in adding him in discussions for stars such as Pascal Siakam and Zach LaVine ahead of the 2023-24 trade deadline.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic also reported that the Kings protected Murray in negotiations involving Utah Jazz star power forward Lauri Markkanen over the summer.

Sacramento ended up acquiring six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Chicago Bulls on July 6.

The wing duo of Murray and DeRozan will attempt to help the Kings bounce back from a play-in tournament loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last season.

Given his impressive individual production throughout the first two years of his career, it's easy to see why Sacramento exercised Murray's fourth-year option on Thursday.

The Sacramento Kings have offered Sacramento State men's and women's basketball programs the chance to play home games at Golden 1 Center "pending arena availability," per NBA insider Chris Haynes.

Haynes described the Kings' offer as "a major hurdle cleared" in Sacramento State's reported bid to join the Pac-12.

This is a major hurdle cleared by Sacramento State. They have a new football stadium in the works, a huge NIL commitment of over $35 million and thanks to the Sacramento Kings, now have a world class basketball facility to warrant admittance into an FBS Conference. https://t.co/psZynMdrmb

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 2, 2024

Sacramento State has been a member of the Big Sky conference since the FCS league was formed in 1963. The Pac-12 meanwhile needs at least one more full-time member in order to meet FBS membership requirements.

Golden 1 Center seats about 17,600 fans for Kings games. Hornets basketball is currently played in a multipurpose gym, which was built in 1955 and can house just over 1,000 people.

That isn't the only Sacramento State athletics program that could see a significant capacity increase in the near future. The Hornets announced last Thursday plans to construct a new football stadium that will increase the venue's capacity by 4,000 people to 25,000 while updating a venue built in 1969.

The football stadium news was followed by third-party fundraising committee SAC12's Monday announcement that the group had raised more than $35 million in NIL funds for Sacramento State in a span of 24 hours.

The SAC12 said it was hoping to fundraise $50 million in order to capitalize on "the continued momentum to elevate Sacramento State Athletics to the Pac-12 and the Hornet football program to the FBS."

The Pac-12 announced on Tuesday that the conference would be adding Gonzaga as an eighth member, a total that leaves the league short of FBS minimum requirements because the Bulldogs do not run a football program.

ESPN's Pete Thamel and Kyle Bonagura reported on Tuesday that the Pac-12 has held early talks with Grand Canyon and Saint Mary's, but that "the conference is expected to remain focused on adding another football-playing school before shifting its attention back to basketball."

Sacramento State is hoping the new football stadium, the NIL fundraising display and now the Kings' offer to share their arena will make them an appealing option as a full member.

Following his retirement from basketball last month, Jeremy Lamb is in a new relationship.

The former NBA guard is dating Anjali Ranadivé, the daughter of Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, according to TMZ. The two shared a photo on Instagram on Tuesday.

Ranadivé is also the former general manager of the G League Stockton Kings, where Lamb spent the 2023 season. It's unclear whether the two started dating while he was a member of the organization.

Lamb, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, spent 10 seasons with four different teams over the course of his career. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets, but was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in October 2012 in the blockbuster deal for James Harden.

After three seasons with the Thunder, he joined the Charlotte Hornets, where he put up some of the best numbers of his career. He averaged a career-high 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game with the Hornets during the 2018-19 season.

Following his time in Charlotte, Lamb had a decreased role with the Indiana Pacers and was ultimately traded to the Kings, where he played his last NBA game during the 2021-22 season.

De'Aaron Fox and Stephen Curry may be Western Conference competitors on the court, but the Sacramento Kings guard will be wearing shoes from the Golden State Warriors star's Under Armour brand this season.

Fox revealed the first full look at his signature shoe on his Instagram Story on Friday:

De’Aaron Fox took to his IG story to give us a first full look at the Fox 1 by Curry Brand 👀

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/1K1J37MiYc

— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) September 13, 2024

This comes after initial images of the shoe were released earlier this week.

They notably featured a fox in a curled position to form the letter D and Curry's signature logo and name:

A FIRST LOOK at @swipathefox’s first signature sneaker with Curry Brand, the Fox 1 🦊 pic.twitter.com/SH76zM9rwO

— B/R Kicks (@brkicks) September 9, 2024

Fox and Curry traveled to China as part of a promotional tour for Under Armour that included the opening of the first-ever Curry Brand House:

That feeling when you walk into the first ever Curry Brand House, now open in Chengdu, China! @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/hst1dnhmF7

— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) September 12, 2024

The Kings star is the first NBA player to sign with the Curry Brand.

"Like Jordan Brand did with Nike, Steph is doing with Under Armour, and I'm the first person to be a part of that," Fox told Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. "Some players wouldn't want to be the first, especially under an active player, but for me, I think it's more like I'm helping him build his brand, but also he's helping me build my brand, so I feel like it's great for both of us."

While they are friendly and now part of the same brand off the court, there is still a Western Conference rivalry on it. Curry's Warriors eliminated Fox's Kings in a dramatic seven-game series in the 2023 playoffs when the Golden State star took over Game 7 with 50 points.

However, Sacramento earned some revenge last season when it eliminated the Warriors in the play-in tournament. Fox finished that game with 24 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals, and the outcome wasn't in doubt for the majority of the fourth quarter.

It isn't a stretch to suggest they could face each other again in the play-in tournament or even postseason during the 2024-25 campaign, especially in a loaded Western Conference that figures to include several competitive teams.

DeMar DeRozan has high expectations for his new team.

The Sacramento Kings playmaker was asked for his boldest NBA take for the upcoming season as part of his Wednesday appearance on ESPN's First Take and said his Sacramento Kings will make the Western Conference Finals:

DeMar DeRozan has the Kings making the WCF 👀

(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @AhnFireDigital )

https://t.co/zF2C31oPSU

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 11, 2024

While DeRozan could have predicted his team, which acquired him via sign-and-trade from the Chicago Bulls this offseason, to make the NBA Finals, advancing to the Western Conference Finals would still represent significant progress.

After all, the Kings haven't won a playoff series since the 2003-04 season, when they advanced to the second round. The last time they made the Western Conference Finals was 2002, and they haven't won a championship since they were the Rochester Royals in 1950-51.

Sacramento is coming off back-to-back winning seasons and has high expectations heading into the 2024-25 campaign after the addition of DeRozan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTN4vP2jlbA

He gives the team a go-to option in crunch time and someone who has averaged more than 20 points per game in each of the last 11 seasons. Combine that with De'Aaron Fox making plays on the perimeter and Domantas Sabonis proving to be a matchup problem for opposing frontcourts, and the Kings should give teams trouble in the Western Conference.

But that Western Conference is quite deep, which will be a problem when it comes to their chances of advancing as far as DeRozan expects.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks are all realistic title contenders, while the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are star-studded playoff threats.

Throw in teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans potentially improving, and there's only so much available room for the Kings.

Still, DeRozan believes his team is going to surprise this season.