Fresh NBA Rumors on DeMar DeRozan, Potential Kings Contract Buyout Amid Trade Deadline Buzz
Even if the Sacramento Kings are unable to find a trade partner for DeMar DeRozan ahead of Thursday's deadline, it's possible the six-time All-Star won't remain with the team for the rest of this season.
Per Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, DeRozan is not generating a lot of trade interest right now and is considered a "strong" buyout candidate after the deadline.
There hasn't been a lot of smoke around a potential DeRozan trade. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Jan. 31 that at one point Sacramento approached the Portland Trail Blazers about a potential DeRozan-for-Jrue Holiday swap, but that never gained any traction.
In the same report, Siegel noted the Kings had discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season about packaging DeRozan and Keon Ellis together in a deal that didn't come to fruition.
Ellis was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week in a three-team deal that also included the Chicago Bulls.
A buyout for DeRozan would be very costly for the Kings. He is signed through next season with salaries of $24.6 million in 2025-26 and $25.7 million in 2026-27.
Even though the Kings might be able to shave a little money off of that in exchange for DeRozan being allowed to hit free agency, it's a perfect example of why the franchise is back at the bottom of the Western Conference so quickly after they won a combined 94 games over two seasons from 2022 to '24.
DeRozan joined the Kings on a three-year, $74 million sign-and-trade deal in July 2024. He has been a rare bright spot for the franchise during his two seasons in Sacramento.
The 36-year-old is averaging 19.2 points on 50.6 percent shooting in 51 starts this season. He could be a useful rotation piece for a playoff contender down the stretch if he does end up agreeing to a buyout with the Kings.
