Going into the 2025-2026 season, basketball media haven't exactly been kind to DeMar DeRozan. Bleacher Report somewhat wrote him off in their assessment of the upcoming season. ESPN recently ranked him at 83rd out of the top 100 players in the league.
This amplifies a tough offseason for the Kings when it came to DeRozan. Attempts to trade him were met with the sound of crickets, giving an indication that he's not the hot commodity he was a few years ago. That doesn't mean he can't contribute in the new season.
The legend of DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan is a dangerous shooter, to say the least. He's a master at mid-range and drives to the rim with power. He plays well in isolation and can draw fouls. Keeping that in mind, DeMar isn't the most prolific three-point shooter and isn't exactly known for his playmaking.
Regardless, his scoring prowess is what made him a six-time All-Star. While DeRozan has yet to win an NBA Championship, that doesn't mean he isn't still an elite player. Last season with the Kings proved that he can still contribute despite closing in on retirement.
Disrespect for DeRozan
Being on ESPN's top 100 players in the NBA is an achievement to be proud of. The problem is how far he fell, a full 35 spots from the year before. That's despite his gameplay only being slightly lower, if not on par with previous years, in most cases. And that was during a tough season for the Kings.
The drop in his perception is likely due to his increasing age as well as playing on a weak, unstable team. If the Kings do better this season, that could contribute to an increase in his placement on such lists. If DeRozan does well this season, it's likely because the Kings are on a bit of a heater.
DeRozan's future with the Kings
The Kings spent the summer trying to trade DeRozan and not getting anywhere. This was likely because their asking price was too high. Keeping in mind the new defensive focus head coach Doug Christie is bringing in, there will be more attempts to trade DeMar for a defensive player in the future.
This doesn't mean that DeRozan isn't still a valuable player. Yes, his retirement is coming soon, potentially after his contract with the Kings is up. DeMar still has a lot to offer in Sacramento as a scorer and would be valuable for any team looking for an experienced shooter.