DeMar DeRozan is officially back on the open market after the Sacramento Kings announced they have waived the veteran guard, instantly making the six-time All-Star one of the biggest names available in free agency.
DeRozan and the Kings worked together on his release, giving the veteran the opportunity to choose his next destination while allowing Sacramento to create financial flexibility, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The Kings moved on from DeRozan after just two seasons with the franchise. His contract for next season carried a salary of $25.7 million, but only $10 million was guaranteed. Sacramento now has the option to stretch that remaining guaranteed money over three seasons, a move that would drop the franchise below both salary cap aprons before the deadline at the end of August.
While DeRozan’s next team remains unknown, interest is already expected to be significant.
Multiple contenders are expected to pursue the veteran scorer, particularly teams that miss out on signing LeBron James during free agency, according to McMenamin.
One team that reportedly won’t be in the mix is the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite DeRozan’s Southern California roots, McMenamin reports the Lakers are not viewed as a potential landing spot.
Another West Coast team in the Warriors have also been floated will “look into” DeMar DeRozan in the coming days, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reports.
A Raptors reunion has also been floated, since Kawhi Leonard is now back there too.
During his 17th NBA season, he averaged 18.4 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and missed just five games all year. Durability has remained one of his greatest strengths, appearing in at least 70 games in each of the past five seasons.
The three-time All-NBA selection also enters free agency with an impressive career résumé. DeRozan ranks among the top 25 scorers in NBA history and posted at least 20 points per game in 12 consecutive seasons before taking on a slightly reduced scoring role with the Kings.
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