DeMar DeRozan emerging as Kings’ most likely trade piece

One of the bigger names to watch as we inch toward the February 5 deadline is DeMar DeRozan, and he might be the Kings veteran who actually gets moved.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that DeRozan’s contract makes him far easier for teams to absorb than either Zach LaVine or Domantas Sabonis.

DeRozan is making $24.6 million this season and has only $10 million guaranteed on next year’s salary.

Compare that to LaVine at $47.5 million with a $49 million option waiting down the road, or Sabonis, who will cost $94 million over the next two years after taking home $42.3 million in this one.

You can see why DeRozan is the cleanest path for both sides.

Siegel points to several teams worth watching. The Bucks, Clippers, Heat, Trail Blazers and Grizzlies all make sense on paper, though it’s not clear which of those clubs have actually reached out.

What is clear is that DeRozan remains the most movable piece among Sacramento’s big three.

As for Sabonis, he is still recovering from a meniscus tear, and teams want to see him healthy before anything gets serious.

Siegel notes that the All-Star big man may not begin the return-to-play part of his rehab until around Christmas.

The Kings are one of the bigger swing teams in the league right now, and DeRozan sits right at the center of it.