Trade Rumors Roundup: DeRozan Pushes for Exit, Rockets Gauge Finney-Smith Market, Sasser Deal Nears
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Sacramento, CA — Forward DeMar DeRozan is pressing the Kings to finalize a separation, hoping the club will trade or waive him well before training camp, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko reported. Sacramento has explored moving the 17-year veteran since June, but clearing his full $25.7 million salary without taking money back is viewed as unlikely for the cap-strapped franchise.
The more feasible path, league sources told Iko, is waiving DeRozan and using the stretch provision on his $10 million partial guarantee. Spreading that figure over three seasons would slice the annual cap hit to roughly $3.33 million and allow the six-time All-Star to reach free agency while contenders still hold spending power. Sacramento is expected to keep searching for a trade up to the NBA’s August 29 deadline to stretch 2026-27 salary.
Rockets weighing options on Finney-Smith
Houston has held “fluid” discussions about forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to Iko. Scenarios include sending him out for cap relief or bringing back a player, but no proposal has gained traction. The Rockets’ urgency cooled after they landed Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic using only the taxpayer mid-level exception.
Mavericks closing in on Sasser
Marc Stein reported the Mavericks are now expected to acquire guard Marcus Sasser from Detroit. Analyst Yossi Gozlan noted a potential five-team framework that could combine Memphis, Detroit and Dallas agreements involving Isaiah Stewart, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Joe and John Collins into one transaction.
Lakers cap maneuvering under watch
Some league insiders wonder whether Los Angeles will trade or waive-and-stretch a contract such as Jarred Vanderbilt’s or Deandre Ayton’s to open space to re-sign free-agent forward Rui Hachimura, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote. For now, speculation outweighs concrete movement.
Bucks passed on Morant pursuit
The Bucks inquired about Ja Morant during the 2025-26 campaign and revisited talks with Memphis through Monday, but ultimately ended their pursuit, Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported. The Grizzlies instead agreed to send Morant to Portland.
Source: Hoops Rumors
