After playing several seasons for the Raptors, DeMar DeRozan built a name for himself as a high-caliber player. The six-time All-Star did some of his best work there before moving to the Spurs.
He was traded to the Kings after a few seasons in Chicago, and it was a trainwreck. Not because of anything DeRozan did. He actually played quite well.
No, the problem with the 2024-2025 season was the organization itself. Even by the Kings' standards, it was an impressively unstable season, one that led into a tumultuous yet lame offseason. From the outside, it looked like the Kings weren't making moves to improve.
The Kings try to trade DeRozan
If there was a singular term to describe the Kings' offseason, it would be "nothing burger." The front office did little to balance out the roster or add any significant depth. Though the change in attitude displayed on media day could mean a better season is on the way.
Outside of a couple of weak trades and the 2025 Draft, the Kings spent most of their time trying to get Russell Westbrook on the roster. They appear to have given up on that goal.
Part of that strategy was reputedly trying to trade DeMar DeRozan to make room for Westbrook. It's hard to see how that would have been a step forward for the roster. The front office ultimately failed at the Westbrook gambit, which may have soured their relationship with DeMar.
No one would blame DeRozan
Knowing the general ineptitude of the Kings' front office, it's quite likely they botched any attempted DeRozan trade. Regardless of what actually happened, it looks from the outside like no other team wanted him. That's not a good look for a player of the caliber of DeRozan.
Basically, the Kings' front office spent the summer telling DeRozan they want him out of there. DeMar is a professional and knows that trades happen in this business. At the same time, it's hard to want to play for a team that doesn't seem to value you, even if he stayed positive on media day.
Despite the great vibes coming off the Kings' media day, this is still easily going to be a tough season for the Kings and DeRozan, who still has a couple of years on his contract. The team's own failed roster moves aren't going to make it any easier.