Report: Kings Are ‘Dark Horse’ To Sign DeMar DeRozan

According to NBA insider Marc J. Spears of ESPN, the Sacramento Kings are a “dark horse” to sign DeMar DeRozan. 

DeRozan, who is an unrestricted free agent, will not re-sign with the Chicago Bulls. 

The Bulls are rebuilding. 

Marc J. Spears just now: “(The Kings) are a dark horse to get (DeMar) DeRozan … The Kings will be back in the postseason next year, they got a move coming soon.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/cu4WIihlrT

— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) July 2, 2024

Along with the Kings, DeRozan has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. The future Hall of Famer won’t pick a new team for a while since he doesn’t want to play for the mid-level exception, which is around $12 and $13 million per season. 

DeRozan appeared in 79 games for the Bulls in 2023-24. The USC product averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 48.0% from the floor, 33.3% from 3 and 85.3% from the free-throw line.  

DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. 

DeRozan has career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Toronto Raptors, Spurs and Bulls. He’s made three All-NBA teams and six All-Star teams. 

The Kings missed the playoffs in 2024 after losing the 8-9 play-in game to the New Orleans Pelicans. They lost in the first round of the 2023 playoffs to the Golden State Warriors in seven games. 

Sacramento is looking to trade Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter. According to NBA reporter K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, Huerter has fans within the Bulls. 

The Kings are building around De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray. Along with DeRozan, they have been linked to Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.

Sacramento re-signed Malik Monk, keeping one of the best bench scorers in the NBA.