DeMar DeRozan Addresses Trade Talk, Emphasizes Urgency to Compete
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SACRAMENTO — Veteran wing DeMar DeRozan said he wants to spend the remainder of his career playing “for something” as the Kings stumble through a second straight losing season and field calls on several veterans ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
The 36-year-old joined Sacramento in the summer of 2024 after back-to-back 48- and 46-win campaigns, expecting the club to push deeper into Western Conference contention. Instead, the 2024/25 season produced a coaching change, the trade of guard De’Aaron Fox and a sub-.500 finish. The current year has been even rougher: the Kings are 12-35 and well outside the playoff picture.
“For me, it’s not like I’m playing another 10 years, so you definitely want to maximize your time and give everything you’ve got left to playing for something,” DeRozan told The Sacramento Bee. “Whether it’s here or wherever.”
DeRozan has never been moved during a season—his three prior team changes came via two sign-and-trades and one offseason trade—but Sacramento is reportedly willing to listen on most veterans, including DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk.
“When things ain’t going right, that’s what happens,” he said of the trade speculation. “You’ve still got to go out there, do your job and compete.”
Now in his 17th NBA season, DeRozan is averaging 18.8 points on 50.6% shooting from the field, 35.1% from three and 87.0% at the line—all above his career marks. He is earning $24.6 million this season, and his 2026/27 salary carries only a $10 million partial guarantee, terms viewed as generally team-friendly but still impacting cap flexibility.
Questions about his defense and that partial guarantee could limit offers, yet DeRozan said he remains focused on helping Sacramento improve until told otherwise. “Nobody wishes to have this record we have, but I’ve always been the one to stick through the hard times,” he said. “You’ve got to deal with the cards that are dealt and make the best out of them.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
