The Sacramento Kings are making it clear: DeMar DeRozan isn’t going anywhere-at least not via buyout. Despite swirling trade rumors ahead of Thursday’s deadline, league sources say the Kings have no plans to buy out the veteran forward if a deal doesn’t materialize.
It’s a notable stance from a team that’s sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 12-39 record. Sacramento has already started reshaping its roster, sending guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. But DeRozan, a seasoned scorer and steadying presence, remains on the roster-at least for now.
The Kings’ approach here seems calculated. They’re not just looking to shed veterans for the sake of a rebuild.
DeRozan is still producing at a high level, and that matters, even on a struggling squad. Through 51 games this season, the 36-year-old is averaging 19.2 points on an efficient 50.6% shooting clip.
He’s also adding 3.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game-numbers that show he’s far from a one-dimensional scorer.
What really stands out, though, is his mid-range game. DeRozan is hitting 50% of his shots from that area, putting him in the 88th percentile among wings, per Cleaning the Glass. In today’s spacing-obsessed NBA, that kind of efficiency from the mid-range is rare-and still incredibly valuable, especially when defenses tighten up in the halfcourt.
DeRozan’s contract structure gives the Kings even more flexibility. He signed a three-year, $73.7 million deal last July in a three-team sign-and-trade involving the Spurs and Bulls.
While he’s set to make $25.7 million in 2026-27, only $10 million of that is guaranteed. That kind of deal is attractive to teams looking for both production and cap control, which is why his name keeps popping up in trade chatter.
And while the Kings continue to field calls-not just on DeRozan but also on All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis-they’re not rushing into anything. Sabonis, too, has been mentioned in trade discussions, though nothing has advanced to the point of a deal.
For DeRozan, this season has also been about milestones. On January 14, he passed Kevin Garnett to move into 22nd place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during a game against the Knicks.
It’s another chapter in what’s already been a remarkable 17-year career. Drafted ninth overall by the Raptors back in 2009, DeRozan has racked up six All-Star selections and three All-NBA honors along the way.
So while Sacramento’s season may be slipping away in the standings, DeRozan’s impact-on and off the court-remains significant. Whether he stays through the deadline or gets moved in a late deal, the Kings are treating him like the asset he is.
No buyout. No shortcuts.
Just business.