West Team Emerging as Favorite for DeMar DeRozan, And It's Not ...

6 Jul 2024

Newsweek

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West Team Emerging as Favorite for DeMar DeRozan And Its Not

A non-Los Angeles Lakers Western Conference team is emerging as the favorite for DeMar DeRozan.

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DeMar DeRozan continues to be the final big prize left on the free agent market.

More news: Top 5 NBA Free Agents Still Available

DeRozan, 34, is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team honoree who averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals across 37.8 minutes per game last season with the Chicago Bulls.

DeRozan has been linked to multiple contenders including the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, but on Friday, a new favorite has emerged in the sweepstakes for the star free agent. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter on Friday that the Sacramento Kings are the "team to watch" in the DeRozan sweepstakes.

"(The Kings and Bulls) have been talking this week," Wojnarowski said. "They're gonna need a third team involved in a sign-and-trade. Chicago, while they certainly are willing to facilitate helping DeMar DeRozan get more than the mid-level exception on a team that doesn't have cap space, they don't want to take back contracts, or certainly significant contracts. They'll need a third team to route a bigger salary to, but those conversations continue."

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 09: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the New York Knicks during the first half at the United Center on April 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. A new... CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 09: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the New York Knicks during the first half at the United Center on April 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. A new team has emerged as the favorite in the DeRozan sweepstakes. More Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Kings are coming off a 2023-24 season in which they went 46-36, but fell just short of a postseason appearance after losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in the final game of the NBA Play-In Tournament. In 2022-23, the Kings were able to reach the postseason after going 48-34 and finishing as the West's No. 3 seed, but lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.

The Kings are led by star point guard De'Aaron Fox and versatile big man Domantas Sabonis, and have a great core of players that includes Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, and Malik Monk, who agreed to a massive four-year, $78 million extension earlier in free agency.

Sacramento did move off of backup point guard Davion Mitchell ahead of this year's draft, where they selected his presumed replacement in providence guard Devin Carter.

DeRozan would slide into the starting lineup as a dominant playmaker and scorer, especially in the clutch. DeRozan finished second in Clutch Player of the Year voting this past season behind Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Fox finished 12th after winning the award in 2022-23.

DeRozan and Fox would make up the best clutch duo in the league, and should catapult the Kings up the Western Conference standings.

Since Chicago is looking to help DeRozan make more money with a sign-and-trade, the Kings will likely need to involve a third team to take on outgoing salary in any potential deal. As for the Bulls, they would likely receive some sort of draft compensation for losing DeRozan.

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