DeRozan to Free Agency
Sacramento Kings Waive DeMar DeRozan, Opening Door for Los Angeles Clippers Pursuit
Key Points
Clippers are expected to pursue DeRozan once he is waived, potentially returning him to his birthplace of Los Angeles and pairing him with Kawhi Leonard following a 2019 trade-era swap.
DeRozan has appeared in 70+ games in five straight seasons, underscoring his durability and reliability as a rotation piece.
Clippers could envision DeRozan in the backcourt alongside Darius Garland, a hypothetical lineup idea that would leverage his veteran scoring with the Clippers’ dynamic guard options.
The Kings have discussed trade options including Zach LaVine’s potential options and have talked with the Hornets about a Domantas Sabonis deal as part of roster reshaping.
The Kings are not pursuing Ja Morant and are expected to draft a point guard with the 7th pick in the draft, signaling a pivot in their talent assessment strategy.
The Sacramento Kings plan to waive and stretch DeMar DeRozan this summer if no trade materializes, according to HoopsHype. The move would spread his $25.74 million contract over three years, leaving the Kings with just a $3.33 million annual cap hit instead of a crushing one-year burden.
If DeRozan hits the open market, the Los Angeles Clippers are waiting. Sports Illustrated reports the Clippers have pursued DeRozan across multiple transaction windows and now see a clear path to landing him — potentially on a veteran-minimum deal — as a homecoming to his native Compton.
Kings' 22-60 Season Forces a Hard Financial Reset
Sacramento finished 2025-26 with a 22-60 record — one of the worst in franchise history, per Hoops Wire. The Kings missed the playoffs for the 19th time in 20 years. New GM Scott Perry has made cap relief the top priority as the team officially enters a full rebuild.
The stretch provision is the key tool here. DeRozan's contract is only $10 million guaranteed. The remaining $15.74 million vests if he is still on the roster past January 10, 2027, per Yardbarker. By waiving him before that date, the Kings lock in just the $10 million guarantee — then spread it at roughly $3.33 million per year over three seasons, dropping well below the NBA's first luxury tax apron.
DeRozan Still Productive at 36 but Viewed as a Cap Problem
DeRozan averaged 18.4 points per game last season and played in 77 games, extending a streak of five straight seasons with 70 or more appearances, according to Heavy Sports. At 36, turning 37 in August, he remains durable and reliable. But his contract has made him a negative asset on the trade market rather than a prize.
Sporting News notes DeRozan is a six-time All-Star who scored enough to rank 16th on the all-time scoring list. Despite that résumé, teams are not lining up to absorb $25.74 million for a player his age. That is exactly why Sacramento is leaning toward the waive-and-stretch route rather than a traditional trade.
Clippers Eye DeRozan Alongside Garland and Leonard
The Clippers traded for All-Star guard Darius Garland at the February 2026 deadline, per Fadeaway World. Analysts at TWSN believe DeRozan's veteran scoring and late-game poise would fit alongside Garland's dynamic playmaking and Kawhi Leonard's two-way impact. Owner Steve Ballmer has shown no interest in a full rebuild.
The pitch to DeRozan is also personal. He grew up in Compton, just miles from the Clippers' arena. Sports Illustrated says the team has tracked him for years. A low-cost deal — likely a veteran minimum — would let Los Angeles add proven scoring without blowing up their cap structure ahead of the 2027 season.
Kings Turn to the Draft and a Possible Sabonis Trade
With DeRozan likely gone, Sacramento's focus shifts to the 2026 NBA Draft. The Kings hold the 7th overall pick and are targeting a franchise point guard — potentially Darius Acuff Jr. or Kingston Flemings — to fill the void left by De'Aaron Fox, per Sacramento Bee. The Kings have ruled out pursuing Ja Morant.
The DeRozan move also raises the odds of a Domantas Sabonis trade. Hoops Rumors reports the Kings have talked with the Charlotte Hornets about a deal centered on Sabonis for draft assets. Sacramento is essentially clearing every high-salary veteran to build around its new draft picks and give GM Scott Perry a blank slate.
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