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DeMar DeRozan Trade Rumors: Kings Pushing to Land Bulls Star in Possible 3-Team Deal

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 6, 2024

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 14:  DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls takes the ball during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 14, 2024 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 120-119 in OT. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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The Sacramento Kings are reportedly a strong suitor for veteran wing DeMar DeRozan in a potential three-team trade.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Kings are attempting to add DeRozan via a sign-and-trade, and the Chicago Bulls are open to doing it, but only if they can include a third team to take on some salary.

Per Stein, the San Antonio Spurs have emerged as potentially being willing to be the third-team facilitator in the deal.

TNT Sports and B/R's Chris Haynes reported DeRozan and his reps will meet with the Kings as "early as today" in Sacramento to hear the team's recruiting pitch.

DeRozan, who will turn 35 on Aug. 7, has spent the past three seasons in Chicago after previous stints with the Toronto Raptors and Spurs.

Over the course of his 15-year NBA career, DeRozan is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection, and he owns career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

After being named an All-Star in each of his first two seasons with the Bulls, DeRozan did not make the All-Star Game in 2023-24, but he still put up excellent numbers with 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest.

DeRozan also finished second in the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award voting, one year after finishing third.

The Kings could be an ideal landing spot for DeRozan since they are a solid team in need of a third star to play alongside Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox.

Despite going 46-36 last season, Sacramento missed the playoffs after failing to make it through the play-in tournament, although it made the playoffs the previous year with a 48-34 mark, ending a 16-year postseason drought.

Assuming DeRozan gets something close to the $27.3 million average annual salary he made during his last contract, the Kings would likely have to part with at least one of Harrison Barnes or Kevin Huerter in a sign-and-trade since they will make $18 million and $16.8 million, respectively, next season.

Even if one or both of them are moved, the Kings would have a strong roster headlined by Sabonis, Fox, DeRozan, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray.

It is unclear if that would be enough to make the Kings championship contenders, but given how deep the Western Conference is, there is no one dominant team, so they would likely be in the mix at the very least.

The Kings have not made it out of the first round of the playoffs since 2004, but a core of Sabonis, Fox and DeRozan would undoubtedly be a tough out come playoff time.