Kings Waive DeMar DeRozan After Two Seasons

Rebuilding the Kings

The Sacramento Kings are still in the early stages of a long‑term rebuild. After snapping a 17‑year playoff drought in 2023, the franchise quickly fell back into the bottom third of the league. Over the past three seasons the team has missed the postseason each time, prompting aggressive roster adjustments. Those moves have included both acquiring new talent and releasing players deemed too costly for the future. The latest step reflects the front office’s commitment to reshaping the roster.

On Monday the Kings formally released former All‑Star forward DeMar DeRozan, rendering him an unrestricted free agent. The decision follows whispers that the team would trim his contract if a trade could not be secured. Despite attempts to find a partner willing to take on the remaining salary, no other franchise stepped forward. DeRozan’s departure clears a significant financial burden from Sacramento’s books.

During his two years with the Kings, DeRozan posted solid averages of 20.3 points and 4.3 assists per game in 154 appearances. While he provided immediate scoring, his contract became a obstacle in the rebuilding timeline. With the waiver, the veteran forward is expected to attract interest from teams looking for a cheaper, proven scorer. The market now views him as a lower‑cost option after the public release.

Looking Ahead: Next Contract Moves

With DeRozan off the roster, the Kings are likely to focus on another high‑priced name: Zach LaVine. LaVine’s contract is also large and could be targeted for a trade or a waiver. The front office has signaled a willingness to make similar changes to free up cap space for younger talent. Fans can expect more roster churn as Sacramento continues to assemble a competitive core for the next phase of the rebuild.

The timing of the waiver also highlights how free‑agent markets adjust after a high‑profile release. Teams now see DeRozan as an opportunity to bolster scoring without the premium price tag. This shift could open up additional trade possibilities for Sacramento later in the offseason. The overall trajectory points toward a leaner, more flexible roster designed for sustained improvement.