Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan is officially a free man in Sacramento. The Kings have waived the veteran forward, ending a two-season stint that never quite delivered on its promise.
DeRozan averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists across 77 games last season. His shooting splits told an even better story, with 49.7% from the field, 32% from three and 86.8% from the free-throw line. Frankly, those numbers remain impressive for a player about to turn 37.
DeRozan Waived as Kings Push Forward with Rebuild
Sacramento tried the trade route first. However, no team wanted to absorb his $25.7 million salary for next season. Only $10 million of that figure was guaranteed, which ultimately made waiving him the more practical path.
As a result, the Kings can now apply the stretch provision. That move would spread the $10 million guarantee across three seasons instead of one lump sum. Therefore, Sacramento’s cap hit would shrink to roughly $3.33 million annually through the 2028-29 season. The front office has until the end of August to make that call.
DeRozan’s $25 million salary was already considered reasonable by today’s market standards. Despite his age, he remains one of the league’s most reliable crunch-time scorers. Consequently, his release didn’t stay quiet for long.
Contenders Line Up for DeRozan’s Services
Multiple title hopefuls immediately started monitoring the situation. Since DeRozan can now be signed for merely a veteran’s minimum contract, several contenders view him as a low-risk, high-reward addition.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly shown strong interest, given their need for scoring depth on a win-now roster. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat are also said to be exploring a potential reunion or fresh partnership with the veteran guard.
DeRozan spent 17 seasons building a résumé that ranks him 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Now, as free agency heats up, he finally gets the chance to chase something that has eluded him his entire career: a championship ring.
