DeMar DeRozan Sign-and-Trade Breakdown
The Sacramento Kings have shown their determination by acquiring free agent guard DeMar DeRozan in a three-year, $74 million sign-and-trade deal on Saturday night. Sources said the Kings are trading forward Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the San Antonio Spurs and guard Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks and cash to the Chicago Bulls. The Kings' pursuit of DeRozan, to partner with All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox, All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, and promising young forward Keegan Murray, is a clear indication of their ambition to become a more explosive offensive team in the Western Conference. Let's dive into what this deal means for the three teams involved.
Sacramento Kings
DeRozan is a six-time All-Star who will turn 35 next month and is coming off an impressive three-year scoring run with the Bulls in which he made the All-Star team in each of the first two campaigns before averaging 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists this past season. He finished second to Stephen Curry in voting for the NBA's 2024 Clutch Player of the Year Award. The Kings acquire DeMar DeRozan, adding a seasoned veteran and prolific scorer to their lineup. DeRozan, known for his mid-range game and clutch performances, averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. This addition bolsters the Kings' chances of becoming a strong playoff contender in the Western Conference. Pairing DeRozan with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis provides Sacramento with a versatile and dynamic offensive trio. Adding Demar to this offense will excite the Kings fans for next season.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs receive Harrison Barnes from the Kings and a 2031 pick swap. Barnes is a versatile forward who can contribute both offensively and defensively. He averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season. Barnes' experience and skill set will be valuable for the Spurs as they continue to develop their young core. The 2031 pick swap adds a future asset, giving the Spurs flexibility and potential long-term benefits as they rebuild and focus on the growth of their young players like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell. It gives the Spurs another veteran alongside Chris Paul to teach their young guys what it means to be a pro.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls get Chris Duarte and two second-round picks in return. Duarte, a promising young guard, averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in his rookie season with the Indiana Pacers. His addition provides Chicago with a young, talented player who can contribute immediately and grow alongside their core. The two second-round picks give the Bulls additional assets to use in future trades or to draft and develop new talent. With DeRozan off the team, the Bull's rebuild is officially underway.
In summary, The Kings aim to capitalize on their current talent by adding DeRozan's scoring and leadership. The Spurs receive a dependable veteran in Barnes and a future asset, aligning with their rebuilding efforts. By acquiring Duarte and additional picks, the Bulls position themselves for sustainable growth and flexibility in building their roster. These teams could still be active in adding to their perspective rosters this offseason, but this is a big move for all of them.
