Sacramento, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings do not intend to pursue a contract buyout with guard DeMar DeRozan if he remains on the roster past the Feb. 6 trade deadline, according to team sources.
League insiders told ESPN that no conversations about a buyout have taken place between the Kings and DeRozan’s representatives, despite recent reports suggesting he could become a “strong possibility” for the post-deadline market.
DeRozan, 36, is in the second year of a three-year deal he signed in the summer of 2024. He is scheduled to earn $25.7 million next season, though only $10 million of that figure is guaranteed. The partially guaranteed final year gives Sacramento flexibility to explore an offseason trade or reduce payroll if no suitable deal materializes.
Team executives have made all veteran contracts available to varying degrees ahead of the deadline, but sources said the Kings are not rushing to move DeRozan. Coaches, front-office staff and teammates continue to commend his professionalism amid a franchise overhaul and a losing record he did not anticipate when he signed.
Through 51 games, the six-time All-Star is averaging 19.2 points. Earlier this month, he became the 23rd player in NBA history to surpass 26,000 career points.
Source: ESPN
