Grading DeRozan's almost-as-advertised Sacramento Kings debut
By Mat Issa
On Thursday, the Sacramento Kings tipped off their 2024-25 regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game also marked DeMar DeRozan's – the team's marquee offseason addition – first game as a member of the Kings.
So, how did the six-time All-Star fare in his new home? In this post, we provide an in-depth look at DeRozan's debut and a letter grade on his overall performance.
An Up and Down outing from DeMar DeRozan
At a glance, DeRozan did everything we've come to expect from him. He scored a lot of points (26), garnered a lot of free throw opportunities (14), and played a lot of minutes (42 minutes and 32 seconds).
The free throws were particularly needed, as last year, the Kings were 21st in free throw attempts per game and 26th in their ratio of free throw attempts to field goal attempts. Tonight, the Kings had double as many free throw attempts as the Timberwolves (35 to their 17), who finished eighth in free throw attempts last year.
However, despite looking like a regular DeRozan showing, it was quite an up-and-down performance. DeRozan started the game slow, scoring just four points on 1-for-4 shooting on the floor. He also had a turnover on a miscue with teammate Keon Ellis (a highly underrated role player). In the middle quarters, DeRozan bounced back, though, scoring 14 points while shooting 50% on field goals in that time.
Then came the final frame. Over the years, DeRozan has built up a reputation as a killer closer. However, this version of him was nowhere to be seen. DeRozan scored eight points, but he did so on 2 for 7 shooting (28.6%). The worst part is that the Kings desperately needed this version of DeRozan tonight, as the team ended up falling to the Timberwolves 117-115. If DeRozan had just been a little more efficient in the fourth quarter, the Kings would be walking away from tonight 1-0 instead of 0-1.
Overall, DeRozan's debut went the way most first games with a new team go. There were moments of brilliance and moments of despair. Long-term, if DeRozan can play the way he did for the second and third quarters for 48 minutes, the Kings will be in business. But tonight, that just didn't happen.
Grade: C+
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