Watch: DeMar DeRozan reveals his Kings 'jersey number ahead of new stint with Sacramento
The NBA announced on Monday that the Sacramento Kings acquired DeMar DeRozan in a three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs. “Deebo” will be playing for his fourth team in his 16th season when the league opens in October. DeRozan signed a three-year, $73.7 million deal to play for the Kings.
The Bulls, who couldn’t get the most out of the trio of DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine, eventually started a rebuild. Sacramento’s Chris Duarte and two second-round picks convinced them to part ways with the former unrestricted free agent. The Kings are hoping to make deeper runs in the playoffs with the six-time All-Star on the roster.
On Tuesday, DeMar DeRozan was introduced as a member of the Sacramento Kings. The forward also showed off what jersey number he would be wearing:
DeRozan will use the same number he used in the first 12 years of his career. He wore No. 10 in nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors and three more with the San Antonio Spurs. Bob Love’s No. 10 has been retired by the Bulls so DeRozan picked No. 11.
Domantas Sabonis, who has been wearing No. 10 since arriving in Sacramento two years ago, will have to pick a different one. “Domas” could take No. 11, the same one he used when he was still with the Indiana Pacers.
The Kings could be playing small ball next season with DeMar DeRozan
The move to acquire DeMar DeRozan also cost the Sacramento Kings more than Chris Duarte and second-round picks. San Antonio received Harrison Barnes and a 2031 pick swap. Barnes played a key role for the Kings over the past few years as the starting small forward. The former Warriors forward’s size and two-way impact will be missed by his former team.
With DeRozan, Kings coach Mike Brown could turn to small ball to succeed in the playoffs. Brown will likely start “Deebo,” Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter. Malik Monk is an option over Huerter but he was special off the bench last season, so he is likely getting the same role.
How the Kings’ small ball lineup fares against the elite teams in the West with size will be interesting to see. The LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets have bigger opening starting units than them. Minnesota’s monstrous frontline could pose serious problems as well.
Sacramento failed to enter the playoffs after losing in the play-in to the New Orleans Pelicans. It remains to be seen if they return to the postseason again with DeMar DeRozan.