Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant may not be the only big names potentially on the move this offseason.
According to veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein via Substack, the Sacramento Kings are expected to explore trade possibilities for six-time All-Star forward. The report highlights that with the recent hiring of Scott Perry as general manager, there’s growing speculation about a possible roster shake-up in Sacramento.
Top star, who will turn 36 in August, could be somewhat difficult to trade due to his contract situation. He’s owed \$24.8 million for the 2025-26 season and \$25.8 million in 2026-27, along with \$1 million in annual incentives. While still a productive player, his age, salary, and contract structure may limit the number of interested teams or require the Kings to take back matching salary or add additional assets to facilitate a deal.
That said, his future in Sacramento appears uncertain. The Kings traded away longtime franchise cornerstone De’Aaron Fox before the February deadline, a move that likely signaled the start of a rebuild—especially following their exit in the play-in tournament.
In return, Sacramento acquired Zach LaVine, who is six years younger than DeRozan and offers a similar offensive skill set, with the added benefit of a more dependable three-point shot. With LaVine and Domantas Sabonis combining to earn over \$90 million annually, the Kings may be forced to trim salary elsewhere, making DeRozan a logical trade candidate as they retool their roster.
DeMar DeRozan recently made headlines due to a physical altercation at a restaurant, but he could be back in the spotlight this summer for a very different reason—a potential trade. With the Kings evaluating their roster under new GM Scott Perry and looking to reshape the team’s direction, DeRozan’s name continues to surface as a possible trade candidate.