DeMar DeRozan Suddenly Available After Kings Make Costly Call

Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan is hitting the open market after the Sacramento Kings decided to waive him.

DeRozan had only $10 million of his $25.7 million contract salary for next season guaranteed. The Kings have until the end of August to stretch that amount over the next three seasons, which would push the team under both financial aprons heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

Sacramento acquired DeRozan in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs in the summer of 2024, hoping he would help elevate the franchise back to playoff contention, but it was anything but that over the last two seasons as the team has fallen well short of that mark.

The 37-year-old is coming off another productive campaign, averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the floor and 32.0 percent from beyond the arc in 77 games played. Last season snapped the streak of 12 straight campaigns averaging at least 20 points per game.

He is still highly durable as he’s played in at least 74 games in each of the last five seasons.

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DeRozan remains an effective scorer, but his next step will likely require him to take a secondary offensive role. The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly not interested in his services, as the team is in pursuit of free agent wingman Jonathan Kuminga.

DeRozan will likely have several suitors in the open market, which could expand if he waits for LeBron James to choose his next NBA landing spot.