ESPN’s Shams Charania reported today that the Kings have officially waived DeMar DeRozan after failing to find a trade partner for his services. This allows DeRozan to find a path to a new team and gives the Kings a chance to start fresh and get under the luxury tax. DeRozan’s deal was only guaranteed for $10 million, and the Kings have until August 31st to decide if they want to stretch that over the next 3 seasons.
DeRozan joined the Kings in the summer of 2024 after a disappointing follow-up to the original Beam Team season. The Kings had needed to make a splash for a while but after striking out on various opportunities like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, they instead brought in the veteran DeRozan in a sign-and-trade with Chicago. DeRozan was supposed to be a piece that could get the Kings back into playoff contention, but the fit never truly materialized and the Kings quickly transformed from a young and exciting team to an old and fading one.
It clearly wasn’t the situation that DeRozan had signed for when he joined, but he was a consummate professional throughout. Over two seasons, DeRozan averaged 20.3 points on 48.6% from the field to go with 4.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 steals a game. He clearly still has a ton of talent, and now has the opportunity to exit a rebuilding situation and find a more competitive team as he enters the final stages of his career.
The Kings are now well under both aprons but still have a little ways to go to avoid the luxury tax. Stretching DeMar’s salary would get them under but given that they don’t have to decide until August 31st, the Kings will likely wait and see if any other moves might open up some more room first. The Kings are currently about $1.3 million over the tax, and stretching DeRozan would give them about $5.3 million in space under the tax this year if they want to create some room for a couple more signings. The Kings currently have 13 players under contract but do have room for at least two more.
Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing signing!
Stellar asset management!
Huzzah!
DDR played 154 games for the Kings. In that time he will have made $58M. The Kings won 62 total games while he was here. That’s $900K and change per win while DDR was a King.
On the bright side, every dollar Zach and DeMar get is one less dollar in Vivek’s pocket.
Another in the long list of players that they should’ve never signed thanks to the owner. Just like Zac, a horrible idea and everybody knew it but the shit had owner.
https://x.com/shamscharania/status/2074199899369808217?s=46
Perhaps he can return to Toronto and come off the bench to vie for a championship behind Barnes and Kawhi.
So my rough math, when taking into consideration the yet to be finalized contracts of Precious, Plowden, and Sharp, the Kings still appear to be at the tax line. They also have a roster spot they must fill to get to 14.
It may be possible to shed some salary in trades, but unless moves are made between now and the end of August the Kings will still be in the tax until they stretch DDR. FWIW, stretching his $10M saves just under $7M, which would be more than enough to sign another vet minimum dude to get to 14.
All I gotta say is that last spot had better not go to Westbrook, or I just might…
Baxter!!! Nooooo!!!
I’m glad DDR was working on his mental strength prior to joining Vivek’s trash heap. He needed all the strength he could muster to make it through Basketball Hell.
It just goes to prove that as you go through life, you need to stop and smell DeRozans.
He was placed on the wrong team but we never heard any negative actions from him. DeMark of a true professional.
Yep. And he wanted to suit up, much to our tanking chagrin.
2 years too late. Should have never signed here in the first place.
Monk, Sabo, Zach and Keegs are the only McNair signings left. Perry cleaning house on a snail’s pace.
McNair just re-upped on his “advisor” role with the Clips lol. Dude is chiling cashin them checks without the scrutiny of being a GM.
To be fair, that’s most of what McNair did with the Kings was chill and cash checks.
Say what you want but Zach McNair but that trade wasn’t a McNair move. That man was removed from power long before that trade happened and was likely the result of Scott Perry’s influence from the way I understand it.
So long and thanks for all the middys.
Now just need to hope they don’t re-sign Russ.
My backside pulled guess is that Russ and/or DDR end up wherever Lebum does.
DDR as a King:
20.3 ppg
4.3 apg
49/33/86 splits
Awesome numbers as always for DDR, but as always, the numbers never really equated to wins.
I’d say his career role should have been more like a Jamal Crawford 6th man role and not the star of a team. He’ll likely end up on a contender in that 6th man role, and I’ll be rooting for him.
DDR was a solid guy who set a great example, and produced consistently. He was a great example for the younger guys. I wish him well. Remind me what the Kings gave up for him??
A top four pick this offseason.
Sort of surprised that there is not more joy in that no first or second round draft pick was used to dump the full contract.
In this, the most incompetent franchise in sports took a rare logical step forward.
I’d rather it were LaVine but I’m glad they’re doing DBo a solid for the solid he gave them while he was here. He was never my favorite player, skill-wise but I damn sure can appreciate the consistency and efficiency, on and off the court. And for that he will be missed. Good luck DeMar.
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