What started as a routine rebound battle quickly turned into one of the most intense flashpoints of the night in Sacramento. Late in the third quarter of the Kings’ matchup, DeMar DeRozan and Wizards forward Kyshawn George got tangled up under the rim-and things escalated in a hurry.
George, the second-year forward, appeared to initiate the contact, giving DeRozan a shove while jockeying for position. DeRozan didn’t hesitate to respond.
He shoved George back-once, then again-sending him to the floor as players from both benches rushed in to break things up. Officials and team staff were quick to intervene, preventing the situation from boiling over.
It was a rare outburst from DeRozan, a player known more for his poise than his temper. But it wasn’t totally out of character, either.
For all his calm demeanor and veteran polish, DeRozan has never been one to let disrespect slide. He’s as old-school as they come-a player who believes in earning your space and standing your ground.
On the court, DeRozan backed up his edge with production. He finished with 17 points in Sacramento’s 128-115 win over Washington, helping the Kings extend their win streak to three games. And while the scuffle grabbed headlines, it was his performance earlier in the week that made history.
In Wednesday’s win over the Knicks at Golden 1 Center, DeRozan dropped 27 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including a three and a near-perfect 12-of-13 from the line. That effort pushed his career scoring total to 26,077 points-enough to move him past Kevin Garnett and into 22nd place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Another milestone for a player who’s quietly built one of the most consistent careers of his generation.
Now in his 17th season and with six All-Star nods to his name, DeRozan’s still producing at a high level. But with the trade deadline approaching, his name is beginning to surface in league conversations.
According to recent reports, the Kings have engaged in exploratory trade talks involving some of their veteran pieces-and DeRozan has been part of those discussions. One scenario reportedly involved the Clippers, with Sacramento floating a package of DeRozan and Keon Ellis in exchange for John Collins and a smaller contract. That particular deal didn’t gain traction, especially after the Clippers caught fire and won 11 of their last 13.
Still, the Kings’ willingness to explore options says something. Sacramento is evaluating where this roster can go, and what tweaks might be needed to push them into that next tier of Western Conference contenders.
In a separate set of talks, the Kings also reportedly discussed a framework involving Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis and another minimum-salary player, with Ellis and Malik Monk potentially heading the other way. Again, nothing imminent, but the conversations are happening-and that’s telling.
For DeRozan, this is familiar territory. He’s been through trade rumors before, and he’s handled them the same way he handles defenders: with patience, poise, and a quiet determination to prove he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
Whether he stays in Sacramento or ends up in a new jersey, one thing’s clear-DeRozan remains a valuable piece for any team looking to add scoring, leadership, and a little edge. And if this week was any indication, he’s still got fire in him.