Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein reported Tuesday via Substack that the Sacramento Kings are expected to explore trade options for six-time All-Star forward. The speculation comes on the heels of the Kings hiring Scott Perry as their new general manager, fueling talk of a possible roster shake-up in Sacramento.
The All-Star will turn 36 in August and is under contract for $24.8 million in the 2025–26 season and $25.8 million in 2026–27, with an additional $1 million in annual performance incentives. Given his age and sizable contract, finding a trade partner could prove challenging.
Still, signs suggest he may no longer fit into Sacramento’s long-term plans. The Kings dealt away cornerstone guard De’Aaron Fox ahead of February’s trade deadline, a move widely seen as the beginning of a rebuild—especially after Sacramento failed to make it past the play-in tournament this past season.
Zach LaVine, acquired in the Fox trade, is six years younger than DeMar DeRozan and offers similar offensive capabilities with a stronger outside shooting game. With LaVine and All-Star center Domantas Sabonis combining for over $90 million annually, the Kings may be forced to reevaluate the rest of their payroll, and DeRozan’s contract could be a prime target.
Off the court, DeRozan recently made headlines after a reported altercation at a restaurant. However, the next major news involving him could be a potential trade as the Kings consider reshaping their roster this offseason.
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