DeMar DeRozan signing with the Sacramento Kings was one of the more surprising off-season moves in the NBA.
DeRozan, 35, will be entering his 16th NBA season come the Kings’ season opener on October 24 where they face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home.
At this point in his career, it is understandable that the six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA will join a contending team that has a good shot at winning the title—the culminating achievement for a player of his calibre.
But he ultimately turned heads when he decided to sign with Sactown ahead of other California-based teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers—both of which were favoured by the SBOTOP NBA 2024 odds to be DeRozan’s destination before he decided to re-route to the state’s capital.
There were also interests from other playoff contenders from the Eastern Conference like the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.
This raises the question of why on Earth did DeRozan pick Sacramento out of all teams?
Still, regardless of their improvements, Sacramento are not one of the more favoured teams to win a championship. Which, if you’re DeRozan, then winning now is probably off the cards, no matter how stacked the Kings seem on paper.
Well, according to the latest NBA 2024 news, his decision was influenced by Sacramento’s culture and by waiting out what Paul George was going to do.
What’s brewing over in Sactown?
I think DeRozan knows perfectly well that a move to the Kings is the perfect one to make, considering the environment and the factors that surround the team.
For one, the pressure to win isn’t as high or suffocating as it is with their California neighbours. We have seen the result of various stars joining the Lakers, Clippers and Warriors. And if you’re on those organisations, then being under a microscope is an understatement. It is a ‘dog-eat-dog’ league, much so when you’re expected to do the heavy lifting night in and night out.
With the Kings, DeRozan has the right combination of youth, excitement and winning culture—minus the heaps of pressure, unwanted media attention and unrealistic expectations.
And DeRozan liked that.
“I was just looking for an opportunity to win at a high level wherever that was going to be … Sac came about, and they were showing interest, like real interest. When I sat back and looked at it, and analysed the team. Great players. Great coach. I just always remember the last couple years of always seeing them light this damn beam and winning and all that,” he said when he was in Paul George’s podcast.
True enough, the Kings—and their fans—are in the midst of a cultural shift. Gone are the days of mediocrity and being the league’s punching bag. They’ve got exciting young players, a coaching staff headed by a respected and proven coach, and star players that play the game the right way.
“… For sure we got a movement. That’s definitely one thing you always want to be a part of is a contagious culture of an organisation that wants to win. When I looked at all that, I just felt like it fit.”
Awaiting Paul George’s decision
Paul George’s decision on where he would go after failing to come to terms with the Clippers’ contract offer was one of the most anticipated stories of the off-season.
And his decision to finally join forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia didn’t just affect him and Sixers. It also influenced others; DeRozan was one of them.
“One, and this is funny, I had to wait for what you were going do,” he said.
Perhaps the former Toronto Raptors star was looking for notes, and in George’s decision, he found one.
“So, when the season ended, I just took a seat back. Everybody knew I’m in a place where I just want to win, so from there I just let the cards play out in a way to where, ‘All right, let me see what landscape or what is going to win, and where I can be a part of that and help with that.’”
His decision making has led him home.
The California native averaged 24 points, four boards and five assists across 79 games for the Chicago Bulls last season.
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