There is a substantial chance that the Sacramento Kings will buy out DeMar DeRozan once the offseason hits. If that does happen, the LA Clippers need to seriously look at the veteran forward. His mid-range mastery could be exactly what they're looking for after James Harden's departure.
As the Kings look for options to move some of their biggest contracts, the easiest by far will be DeMar DeRozan. Only $10 million of his 2026-2027 salary, the final year of his Sacramento contract, is guaranteed. That makes him an obvious candidate for a buyout, getting him off their books.
The Kings need to make this move. DeRozan is a great shooter, particularly in the mid-range, but he's terrible from three and isn't much of a defender. There are a lot of positives to having him on the team that still don't outweigh the fact that he doesn't fit the Kings' planned rebuild.
Sacramento's goal is to get younger, faster, and more versatile. Except for Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk, that means the vast majority of the veterans will have to move on at some point. But DeRozan has a solid potential home waiting for him in California.
DeMar DeRozan on the Clippers makes sense
Before the deadline, James Harden did the most James Harden thing possible and asked for a trade from the Clippers. He ended up on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are legit contenders. It gives Harden the opportunity to play for a team with enough firepower to cover for him choking in the playoffs.
This left the surging Clippers in a tough position, losing a reliable shooter and playmaker who spaces the floor well. That's where DeMar DeRozan comes in. He might not be much of a three-point shooter, but his excellent mid-range shot remains unparalleled in the modern NBA.
Without Harden, there is a lot of pressure on Kawhi Leonard to deliver, and he likely will. That also means defenders are going to be locked in on him. Having a shooter of the caliber of DeRozan on the court with Leonard would help make space for Kawhi to work without being double-teamed.
If the offense does choose to double up on Leonard, DeRozan is definitely the kind of player to make them pay. There are no guarantees what's going to happen, but a DeRozan buyout seems incredibly likely, as does a move to the LA Clippers. It would be best for everyone involved.