DeMar DeRozan has been one of the most reliable scorers the Sacramento Kings have on the roster this season. But some people have forgotten the kind of mid-range legend he is. Against the Lakers last night, he showed up and reminded the league exactly what DeMar DeRozan is capable of.
The Kings have two main problems this season, specifically inconsistent offense and inconsistent defense. It's an incredibly bad combination for a basketball team. To be completely honest, they're just a bad team, and it's not their fault in the least. They weren't the ones who put this group together.
It was the former front office under the direction of the current co-owner that put the focus on offense and then put together an imbalanced offensive squad. The current front office, coaching staff, and roster are doing their best with what was left behind in the aftermath.
One of those roster members is DeMar DeRozan. He was part of a trade that moved him from Chicago to Sacramento, and another trade is likely coming soon. That being said, you cannot fault DeRozan for the effort he has been putting in for the last couple of seasons.
DeRozan brings out the big guns against the Lakers
While he's not known for his defense, DeRozan is an impressive offensive threat when used properly. And he went to work against the Lakers. DeMar dropped 32 points on them with 14 of 19 shooting from the field. That's without taking a single three-point shot during the entire game.
Oddly enough, the rest of DeRozan's game was solid. He also collected two rebounds, six assists, and three steals, all while committing exactly zero turnovers. It was one of the best games he has played for the Kings since being traded to Sacramento in the summer of 2024.
It's not the most points he's scored this season. That was 37 against Detroit. It wasn't the most steals he's collected this season. That was five against Portland. What he did deliver against the Lakers was the kind of efficient, all-around game fans expect from a veteran in his 17th season.
The Kings might have an imbalanced roster that lacks both a defensive and an offensive presence, but they still have top-tier talent on their team. That includes All-Star and living legend DeMar DeRozan. If he can stay on his grind, there actually might be a few more wins in the Kings' season.