TITLE: Kings Release Veteran Forward DeMar DeRozan
SLUG: kings-release-veteran-forward-demar-derozan
CONTENT:
The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with DeMar DeRozan, formally waiving the 17-year veteran on Tuesday afternoon, the team announced at 4:20 p.m. PT.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported at 1:36 p.m. that the organization planned to cut ties with the 36-year-old forward. Once the move is processed, DeRozan will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
DeRozan’s contract for the 2026-27 season carried a $25.74 million salary, but only $10 million was guaranteed. Sacramento explored trade options with DeRozan’s representatives, yet no viable deal emerged.
Cap Implications
The Kings can apply the NBA’s stretch provision to disperse the $10 million guarantee over three seasons. Doing so would clear more than $22 million from the 2026-27 cap sheet, pulling the club below both the luxury-tax line and apron. The team has until Aug. 29 to decide whether to stretch the payment.
Keeping the full $10 million on the 2026-27 books would leave Sacramento slightly above the tax threshold, but that route would avoid an additional $3.33 million cap hit in each of the following two years if further cost-cutting moves are made.
Next Steps for DeRozan
Because stretching the contract would bar a reunion in Sacramento, a return is considered unlikely. DeRozan, who turns 37 in August, is expected to seek a rotation role with a playoff contender.
Despite his age, the six-time All-Star remains productive. He appeared in 77 games last season, averaging 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 31.2 minutes per night. DeRozan joined the Kings in a three-team trade from Chicago during the 2024 offseason and spent two years in Sacramento.
The Kings’ decision brings DeRozan back to the open market for the second time in three summers.
Source: HoopsRumors
