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The best free-agent remaining on the market in the NBA is now off it as the Sacramento Kings acquired six-time All-Stars wingman DeMar DeRozan, who was second last season for the league’s Clutch Player Award, in a three-way deal with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.

Yes, DeRozan will be 35 in August but is still an excellent player — yet the Kings remain as +6600 longer shots on the NBA futures odds to win their first title.

Expert Prediction: Kings return to the playoffs next season but won’t win the West.

Lakers or Kings

The Los Angeles Lakers were always the favorites to sign DeRozan as he’s from Los Angeles and when LeBron James wants a guy on his team, he usually gets him. But not this time.

The Kings acquired him in a three-year, $74 million sign-and-trade deal. They traded forward Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the Spurs and guard Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks and cash to the Bulls.

DeMar DeRozan Stats

DeRozan had an impressive three-year scoring run with the Bulls, making the All-Star team in his first two seasons and averaging 24 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season. While his arrival won’t change the Kings’ defense, it will enhance their strengths and diversify their offense.

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MyBookie NBA Odds to Win Next Season

What the Kings Need

Next season’s competition in the Western Conference will be tougher with more contending teams. The Sacramento Kings, who finished 46-36 last season, may need a big upgrade like adding DeRozan to stay competitive. They were close to making the playoffs, but need to step up their game to maintain their position in the league.

You can lose organizational momentum pretty quickly. Sacramento didn’t make it out of the Play-In Tournament this past season, and ownership has been pretty clear about expecting to win right now.

DeRozan’s scoring skills complement Kings’ shot creators like Fox, Sabonis, and Monk, but limit their opportunities. His presence hinders floor spacing and requires adjustments to maximize other shooters like Huerter. While the trade improves the team, it lacks a significant impact on their overall performance.

DeRozan, known as one of the NBA’s most lethal midrange scorers, is a career 29.6% 3-point shooter. He won’t address Sacramento’s need for size, length and defense, but he gives the Kings another elite shot creator alongside Fox, who was named Clutch Player of the Year in 2023.

Sacramento Trades

The Kings may not be finished making moves, with Kevin Huerter expected to stay. Sacramento’s wing rotation is crowded, but Huerter’s shooting and playmaking skills are in demand. The team has some salary flexibility and could potentially match salaries in a trade with Brooklyn for Dorian Finney-Smith using Huerter.

The Kings were linked to trade talks involving Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, but DeRozan’s name came to the forefront in recent days.

Kyle Lowry, Gary Trent Jr., and Tyus Jones remain in the free agent market. Lowry could be motivated to join the 76ers for a chance at another championship.

Trent is a top scorer without many offers, while Jones, a reliable backup point guard, is facing limited contract opportunities in the current off season due to the trend for backup point guards.

Sacramento Kings Injuries

Kings rookie guard Devin Carter may miss a start of the regular season due to needing shoulder surgery. Carter transferred from South Carolina to Providence and excelled, winning Big East Player of the Year with impressive stats. Despite being drafted 13th overall, his debut may be delayed.

NBA win totals for the coming season should be out soon and the 2024-25 regular-season schedule likely early next month after the Olympics.