DeMar DeRozan is officially on the NBA’s trade radar - and for good reason. After a sluggish seven-point outing back on Nov. 20 against the Kings, the 35-year-old has bounced back in a big way, most recently putting up 23 points against the same Memphis Grizzlies squad. That kind of scoring resurgence is exactly why his name is starting to circulate in trade conversations around the league.
DeRozan’s ability to get buckets hasn’t faded with age. He’s still one of the most polished midrange assassins in the league, and he’s doing it with efficiency - shooting just under 50% from the field while averaging 18.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 3 rebounds per game this season. That kind of production, paired with his veteran presence, makes him an intriguing piece for any team looking to bolster its offense heading into the stretch run.
One team that’s been linked to DeRozan recently? The Los Angeles Clippers. The idea of the Compton native returning home to L.A. has sparked some buzz, but not everyone is sold on the fit - including former NBA forward Chandler Parsons.
On a recent episode of Run It Back with Michelle Beadle, Lou Williams, and DeMarcus Cousins, Parsons broke down why a DeRozan-to-Clippers move might not be the right call - for either side.
“I love DeMar DeRozan. He can score the basketball,” Parsons said.
“But is adding another aging, scoring star that needs the ball in his hands the solution for this team? I don’t think so.”
Parsons didn’t dismiss the idea of Sacramento exploring trade options altogether - in fact, he encouraged it. But he made it clear that the Clippers, with their own aging core, aren’t the team that should be making that call.
“I think there’s other teams DeMar would be extremely beneficial for,” he added. “I think he can move the needle for a contending championship team - and that’s not the Clippers.
When I look at the fit of this team, their problem is their age. You can’t add a DeMar DeRozan and think things can magically change.”
Parsons’ take cuts to the heart of the issue: fit. DeRozan still has plenty left in the tank, and his skill set could absolutely help a team that needs a steady, late-game scorer or a veteran presence in the locker room. But for a team like the Clippers - already juggling high-usage stars and trying to manage health across a veteran-heavy roster - adding another ball-dominant scorer might create more questions than answers.
That said, Parsons isn’t rooting against DeRozan. Quite the opposite. He believes the six-time All-Star still has more to give before calling it a career, and he’d like to see Sacramento find a trade partner that makes sense for both sides.
For teams on the cusp of contention - the kind that could use a proven scorer to get over the hump - DeRozan could be the missing piece. But Sacramento won’t just give him away. If they do decide to move him, they’ll be looking for a return that brings real value, whether that’s in the form of young talent, draft capital, or a complementary piece to build around.
DeRozan’s situation is one to watch closely as the trade deadline approaches. He’s still producing, still efficient, and still capable of shifting the dynamic for a playoff hopeful. The only question now is: who’s the right team to make the call - and what does Sacramento want in return?