Sacramento Kings

A Sacramento Kings fan lived up to his word after the team agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls for DeMar DeRozan on Saturday.

Bradley Scott showed off his new tattoo with DeRozan's name written under the Kings logo after pledging to get fresh ink if the six-time All-Star signed with the club.

A fan really got DeMar DeRozan’s name tattooed on his arm just for SIGNING with the Kings 😅

(via @BradleyScottD) pic.twitter.com/BeusX0HnhA

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 7, 2024

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps, DeRozan's deal with the Kings is for three years and $74 million. The Bulls will acquire Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks and cash, with Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap going to the San Antonio Spurs.

Chris Haynes of Turner Sports noted the third year of DeRozan's contract is partially guaranteed.

While DeRozan wouldn't seem to rise to the level of being a player worth getting a tattoo of if he signs with your team, the Kings don't have a great history of making big moves in free agency.

Vlade Divac remains the most impactful free-agent signing for the Kings when he got a six-year, $62.5 million deal in January 1999. He was instrumental in the franchise's rise in the Western Conference and a key figure during their rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers in the early-2000s.

Adding DeRozan gives the Kings an excellent offensive trio with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. They have posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since doing it in eight consecutive seasons from 1998-99 to 2005-06.

After missing the playoffs last season, the Kings were able to find a way to upgrade their roster without significantly mortgaging their future.

If that is enough to make a dedicated fan get a player's name tattooed on his body, we should all care about our team that much.

DeMar DeRozan is reportedly going back to his original NBA jersey number once he officially joins the Sacramento Kings.

According to Mark Haynes of the Sacramento Observer, DeRozan will wear No. 10 with the Kings, which is the same number he wore during stints with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.

DeRozan switched to No. 11 during his three-year tenure with the Chicago Bulls since the Bulls retired No. 10 in honor of Bob Love.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps reported Saturday that the Kings had acquired DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls and signed him to a three-year, $74 million contract.

As part of the three-team trade, the Kings sent Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the Spurs, and Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks and cash to the Bulls.

The trade brings the 34-year-old DeRozan closer to home than he had ever previously been during his NBA career, as he was born in Compton, California.

DeRozan was undoubtedly among the most accomplished players to hit free agency this offseason, as he is a six-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection and a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection.

In 1,110 career NBA games across 15 seasons, DeRozan boasts averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Despite entering his mid-30s, DeRozan remained highly productive last season, averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

With the Kings, DeRozan joins a strong roster headlined by De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, both of whom were All-Stars in 2022-23.

The Kings were also able to retain Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray despite acquiring DeRozan, which gives them one of the deepest teams in the league.

Sacramento missed the playoffs last season with a 46-36 record since it fell in the postseason play-in tournament, but it now has a roster capable of not only reaching the playoffs, but going on a deep run as well.

It did not take long for the Sacramento Kings fan base to accept DeMar DeRozan.

The six-time All-Star joined the Kings via a sign-and-trade on Saturday, signing a three-year deal for $74 million. Following the news, he was introduced at Golden 1 Center and received a standing ovation while walking out to Kendrick Lamar's "They Not Like Us."

DeMar DeRozan was just introduced to the crowd in Sacramento to the tune of Kendrick Lamar’s “They Not Like Us.” pic.twitter.com/yhFu6hy1m7

— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) July 7, 2024

The deal puts the Kings right under the second apron of the salary cap, but the hope is that DeRozan can be the piece that helps Sacramento take a step forward.

He joins a Kings team that went 46-36 and fell in the play-in tournament. This came after it made the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06 in 2022-23 and has a promising core centered on De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

DeRozan averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 79 games in 2023-24. He will slot in alongside Fox and Sabonis and help make Sacramento a true threat in the Western Conference.

While fans will have to wait until the fall to see DeRozan dawn the Kings uniform, they surely will show out for him and the rest of the roster over the next three seasons.

DeMar DeRozan has found his free agency destination.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi reported that DeRozan will be heading to the Sacramento Kings as part of a sign-and-trade that will also see Harrison Barnes head to the San Antonio Spurs while Chris Duarte and two second-round picks will head back to the Chicago Bulls.

ESPN Sources with @TimBontemps: The Sacramento Kings are agreed on a sign-and-trade that will land DeMar DeRozan on a three-year deal, send Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash to the Chicago Bulls. pic.twitter.com/eopPkSPBvc

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2024

Wojnarowski also reported that DeRozan's deal is for three-years and $74 million.

DeMar DeRozan’s deal: three-years, $74 million, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VMRiWYY3f8

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2024

The average annual value for the deal will be for $24.6 million. Per Spotrac, this will put the Kings over the first apron and less than a million under the second apron.

Here's a look at how the Kings roster could shape up for 2024-25.

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Starters:

De'Aaron Fox

Kevin Huerter

DeMar DeRozan

Keegan Murray

Domantas Sabonis

Reserves:

Devin Carter

Malik Monk

Trey Lyles

Alex Len

Keon Ellis

Colby Jones

Jalen McDaniels

Isaac Jones

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The Bulls will have $13 million in first apron space and $23 million in second apron space, per Spotrac.

Here is a look at how the Bulls could line up in 2024-25

Starters:

Josh Giddey

Coby White

Zach LaVine

Patrick Williams

Nikola Vucevic

Reserves:

Matas Buzelis

Jalen Smith

Lonzo Ball

Ayo Dosunmu

Torrey Craig

Adama Sonogo

Dalen Terry

Jevon Carter

Julian Phillips

Chris Duarte

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DeRozan will be a welcome addition to a rising Kings team. Sacramento went 46-36 and fell in the play-in tournament to the New Orleans Pelicans. This comes after it went 48-34 in 2022-23 and fell in the first round of the playoffs.

That was the Kings first trip to the postseason since 2005-06, and the franchise hopes DeRozan can slot in as an impact player alongside Sabonis and Fox. For the Bulls in 2023-24, DeRozan averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 79 games.

He was not expected to re-sign with Chicago, who adds Duarte as a bench piece. He averaged 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists for the Kings in 2023-24. The Bulls went 39-43 in 2023-24 and fell in the play-in tournament.

DeRozan's presence in Sacramento will hopefully bring stability to the franchise, while Chicago commits to shaping the roster differently going forward.

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly a strong suitor for veteran wing DeMar DeRozan in a potential three-team trade.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Kings are attempting to add DeRozan via a sign-and-trade, and the Chicago Bulls are open to doing it, but only if they can include a third team to take on some salary.

Per Stein, the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as potentially being willing to be the third-team facilitator in the deal.

TNT Sports and B/R's Chris Haynes reported DeRozan and his reps will meet with the Kings as "early as today" in Sacramento to hear the team's recruiting pitch.

DeRozan, who will turn 35 on Aug. 7, has spent the past three seasons in Chicago after previous stints with the Toronto Raptors and Spurs.

Over the course of his 15-year NBA career, DeRozan is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection, and he owns career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

After being named an All-Star in each of his first two seasons with the Bulls, DeRozan did not make the All-Star Game in 2023-24, but he still put up excellent numbers with 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest.

DeRozan also finished second in the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award voting, one year after finishing third.

The Kings could be an ideal landing spot for DeRozan since they are a solid team in need of a third star to play alongside Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox.

Despite going 46-36 last season, Sacramento missed the playoffs after failing to make it through the play-in tournament, although it made the playoffs the previous year with a 48-34 mark, ending a 16-year postseason drought.

Assuming DeRozan gets something close to the $27.3 million average annual salary he made during his last contract, the Kings would likely have to part with at least one of Harrison Barnes or Kevin Huerter in a sign-and-trade since they will make $18 million and $16.8 million, respectively, next season.

Even if one or both of them are moved, the Kings would have a strong roster headlined by Sabonis, Fox, DeRozan, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray.

It is unclear if that would be enough to make the Kings championship contenders, but given how deep the Western Conference is, there is no one dominant team, so they would likely be in the mix at the very least.

The Kings have not made it out of the first round of the playoffs since 2004, but a core of Sabonis, Fox and DeRozan would undoubtedly be a tough out come playoff time.

Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported the Sacramento Kings have been busy this offseason, making exploratory calls on the Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen and Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, with another star player also piquing their interest.

"[Kyle] Kuzma's contract is viewed as highly attractive to teams across the league looking to improve in the short term and preserve financial flexibility to round out their rosters."

Kuzma is owed $64.43 million over the next three seasons on a descending contract, per the insider, which makes him more attractive to teams looking to get better fast.

The 28-year-old small forward improved in several categories, including points per game, where he averaged the most of his career with 22.2 for the Washington Wizards.

An uptick in field goal percentage (46.3) and three-point shooting (33.6 percent), only enhances teams' reasoning for exploring the possibility of adding Kuzma to their rosters.

His player efficiency rating was the highest of his career, too, at 15.7, per Stat Muse.

Kuzma's assist game is what improved this past season as he dished the ball more consistently, setting up teammates to thrive instead of worrying about taking shots himself.

Ingram and Markkanen would suit the Kings well and help aid in the team's desire to develop into a legitimate contender out west, but it is Kuzma's evolution into a more complete player that makes him the best fit and the most intriguing.

He would be an upgrade over Harrison Barnes in the position and bring with him the veteran experience of having won an NBA title in 2020 and played with the best player of this generation, LeBron James.

It will not be easy to pry Kuzma away from Washington, or Markkanen from Utah for that matter.

The New York Knicks' haul for Mikal Bridges, which included four first-round draft picks, a protected fifth, and a protected pick swap, was enormous and has set the standard for players of Markkanen and Kuzma's skillsets.

Regardless of who the Kings decide to target, it will cost them.

A lot.

Whether the team is willing to mortgage its long-term future in the name of winning now will ultimately decide if the organization can realistically complete a deal and focus on chasing Denver, Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Dallas in the Western Conference.

The Sacramento Kings have discussed a sign-and-trade involving DeMar DeRozan with the Chicago Bulls, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Jackson noted that DeRozan has "interest" in joining the Miami Heat, although the Heat are "not in position to give him what he's seeking."

Heat is trying to do something in trade market, I've been assured. (DeRozan seems too difficult at moment; other options less clear). That's why they have left themselves 7 M under 2nd apron for now. So it's not like they're sitting around playing scrabble. https://t.co/yH1XDtWOxh

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 4, 2024

The six-time All-Star is searching for a new home in free agency after spending the past three seasons with the Bulls. Jackson previously reported on Tuesday that the Los Angeles Lakers are also among the teams pursuing DeRozan.

The 34-year-old hasn't showed many signs of slowing down, as his average of 37.8 minutes each night represented the highest mark in the association during the 2023-24 season. He also recorded 24.0 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports reported on Tuesday that the Bulls are "open" to exploring a sign-and-trade involving the veteran. Johnson added that a potential deal would need to be "at least three years."

The Kings may be attempting to include Harrison Barnes or Kevin Huerter in a possible trade, as Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer revealed on June 21 that the team is attempting to move both players.

Despite winning 94 games over the past two seasons and boasting stars such as De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento only has one first-round playoff appearance to show for it due to a competitive Western Conference.

While the Kings have already re-signed Malik Monk and traded for Jalen McDaniels, general manager Monte McNair could be on the lookout for an experienced scorer such as DeRozan. The California native has 63 career playoff games under his belt with three separate organizations.

Although the reported talks between Sacramento and Chicago haven't resulted in a deal yet, the two teams could engage once again if DeRozan's other possible suitors aren't as interested.

The Sacramento Kings were reportedly close to pulling off a trade for Utah Jazz star big man Lauri Markkanen, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

"The Kings, to my knowledge, earlier this week were close to a deal," he said during Wednesday's No Cap Room podcast (40:30 mark). "I do think that, based off of conversations I've had. I can't say more than that, but there were calls made to people around the NBA that would have indicated that talks have been legitimate there."

He added that both the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have reportedly shown interest, but the Jazz are "conducting their business with a 10 percent chance they're going to move him."

With Mikal Bridges already traded to the New York Knicks and Paul George signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, Markkanen has become the hot name in the NBA rumor mill.

According to @Tjonesonthenba, the Kings are "very interested" in Lauri Markkanen.

"Sacramento has what the Kings think is a strong offer on the board." pic.twitter.com/EsY9HS4WcD

— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) July 4, 2024

On Tuesday, Chris Haynes of TNT Sports said the Warriors were the "aggressors" in the pursuit of Markkanen but the Spurs were "in on it as well."

"It would really put a dent in the Warriors' roster to try and make that deal happen and try to get the Jazz to bite," he said. "I would be interested to see how they would go about doing it. But you know Danny [Ainge], he craves first-round picks. What can the Warriors do to come up with the necessary picks? ... I'm told the Warriors, more importantly, are really pursuing, really trying to see what they can do to try and make it happen."

Whether the Jazz are interested in dealing Markkenen, however, is another matter entirely. Much of the reporting has suggested the Jazz would need to be enticed with an offer they simply couldn't refuse.

I wouldn't categorize the Lauri situation as the Jazz "shopping" him. There are interested teams that are gauging what it would take to get Markkanen away from Utah.
I stand by the idea that the Jazz don't WANT to trade Lauri, but if they get a godfather offer, it's possible.

— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) July 3, 2024

We do not expect Lauri Markkanen to be traded, but that has not stopped multiple teams — including Golden State — from calling Utah, sources said. And the Jazz have held tangible discussions on the All-Star forward. https://t.co/9cUBSbaIlY

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 1, 2024

There's a reason these teams apparently covet Markkanen.

The 27-year-old has become one of the top stretch 4s in the NBA, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and two assists this past season while shooting 39.9 percent from three. He was an All-Star in the 2022-23 campaign and has taken huge strides in his two seasons with the Jazz.

It's easy enough to see how he would fit with the Warriors, who could use another star next to Stephen Curry after losing Klay Thompson this offseason.

Markkanen's ability to stretch the floor would work well in Steve Kerr's offense, essentially replacing Thompson's impact at the 2 with a stretch 4.

The Kings, meanwhile, are looking for a third star to pair with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, though the Jazz will probably want Keegan Murray in such a deal, which should give the Kings pause.

Murray is only 23, took a solid step forward last season (15.2 PPG) and is a 38.4 percent three-point shooter for his career.

I would not give up Keegan Murray unless I was getting back a very clear All-NBA guy. https://t.co/zyXG6NVHCz

— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) July 2, 2024

The Kings have already had a busy and solid offseason, re-signing Malik Monk, drafting Devin Carter at No. 13 overall and acquiring Jalen McDaniels in a trade.

Landing Markkanen would take that offseason to another level, though giving up Murray may be too steep a price to pay.

ESPN's Zach Lowe believes the Sacramento Kings are a "sneak" candidate to land DeMar DeRozan in free agency.

"I think the Kings have a move yet to make in the offseason... I think they've sniffed around DeRozan," Lowe said Wednesday on the Lowe Post podcast (23:10). He called Sacramento a "sneak DeRozan team."

The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported Wednesday that the Los Angeles Lakers have "turned their attention" to DeRozan, while the Miami Heat are "slight favorites" to land the six-time All-Star.

DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds through 79 games in the final season of a three-year, $81.9 million deal last season with the Chicago Bulls.

Lowe's report echoes recent comments from ESPN's Marc J. Spears, who said Tuesday on ESPN's NBA Today that the Kings "are a dark horse to get DeRozan."

Jake Fischer reported for Yahoo Sports at the beginning of free agency that the Kings remained "active in exploring trade opportunities for Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter."

Huerter, who averaged 10.2 points through 64 games, mostly starts, last season, was "receiving a healthy amount of external interest," Fischer wrote.

NBC Sports' KJ Johnson reported Wednesday that sources say the Bulls "are fans of Kevin Huerter."

A package of Barnes, Huerter and draft capital may not be enough to land a player like 27-year-old Lauri Markkanen, Lowe said.

But Lowe seemed to believe that could be enough to get the Kings in talks with the Bulls, a team Johnson reported Tuesday is "open to sign-and-trade possibilities" for DeRozan.

The Kings put together one of the 10 highest-scoring offenses in the NBA behind center Domantas Sabonis last season.

DeRozan could benefit from Sabonis' playmaking as the Kings look to further bolster that offense with an eye on returning to the playoffs next fall.

If DeRozan ends up going to another team instead, however, it would not be the first time the Kings have been tied to a major trade target that did not pan out. Sacramento has been linked with trade candidates including Markkanen, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Zach LaVine, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram since the beginning of last season.

The Sacramento Kings have added a two-way player in Devin Carter, an established perimeter defender who also proved himself to be a threat on offense during his junior season with Providence.

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Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Devin Carter

Position: SG

Height: 6'3"

Pro Comparison: Brandin Podziemski

Scouting Report: Carter went from defensive stopper to two-way scorer over the past year, showing tremendous improvement with his shotmaking. He lacks size and athleticism, and his decision-making can be overly ambitious, but blossoming offensive versatility, ball pressure and outlier rebounding ability have made Carter a popular target.

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Kings Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Domantas Sabonis, PF: $41.8M (2028)

De'Aaron Fox, PG: $34.8M (2026)

Harrison Barnes, PF: $18M (2026)

Kevin Huerter, SG: $16.8M (2026)

Keegan Murray, PF: $8.8M (2026)

Trey Lyles, PF: $8M (2025)

Sasha Vezenkov, SF: $6.7M (2026)

Davion Mitchell, PG: $6.4M (2025)

Chris Duarte, SF: $5.9M (2025)

Keon Ellis, SF: $2.1M (2025)

Colby Jones, SG: $2.1M (2027)

Mason Jones, SG: Two-way

Devin Carter, SG: Rookie scale contract

Free Agents

Malik Monk, SG: UFA

Alex Len, C: UFA

JaVale McGee, C: UFA

Kessler Edwards, SF: RFA

Jalen Slawson, PF: RFA

Jordan Ford, PG: RFA

Carter had already developed into a standout defender for Providence during his sophomore season by averaging 1.1 blocks per game in 2022-23.

When he returned for his junior 2023-24 season, he added improved offense to his skill set.

When still recording one block each night, Carter improved to average 8.7 rebounds, shooting 56.3 percent from inside the arc while recording 19.7 points per game.

Providence missed out on the NCAA Tournament, but Carter was still able to show his mettle with a series of clutch performances during the conference tournament, including a 27-point performance against Marquette during the Big East semifinal.

Carter was initially projected as a first-round pick by Wasserman, who described him as a "dangerous shotmaker and crafty pick-and-roll ball-handler."

He may have clocked in at 6-foot-2.25 inches without shoes at the 2024 NBA Scouting Combine, but Carter also tied for first with a 42-inch maximum vertical jump and set a combine record with a 2.87-second three-quarter court sprint.

Carter's speed, defensive abilities and offensive upside have given the Kings plenty of reason to hope they've added a two-way standout with this pick.