DeMar DeRozan steals the show at Day 1 of the California Classic

Jul 6, 2024, 9:18 PM

SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 6: DeMar DeRozan sits court side during the game between the Team China and t...

(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

It was an eventful California Classic opener for the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night at Golden 1 Center–both on and off the floor.

The story of the night was six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan, who inked a three-year deal with the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal that will send Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte to Chicago Bulls.

News of DeRozan’s agreement sent a wave of excitement through the arena as Sacramento took the floor for pregame warmups against the Chinese national team. That hype was magnified once the 34-year-old entered the court-side area with team governor Vivek Ranadive to a massive ovation:

Newest King DeMar DeRozan is now sitting courtside in G1C pic.twitter.com/58jR812L3c

— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) July 7, 2024

California Classic: Day 1 recap

DeRozan stole the show early, while Keon Ellis took over from there by scoring 10 points during the first quarter on four-of-five shooting from the field, including both of his attempts from three-point range as the Kings took an early 31-18 lead.

Sacramento’s two-way guard Mason Jones took the baton from Ellis in the second quarter, scoring 11 of his 13 first-half points on three-of-five shooting from three-point range to help the Kings push its lead to 52-29 as DeRozan and franchise guard De’Aaron Fox took in the action sitting next to one another at center court.

With Ellis and Jones leading the way, Sacramento coasted to a 101-50 blowout win over the Chinese national team in front of an engaged–and excited–audience.

Jones led all Kings scorers with 19 points (five-of-eight from three-point land), four rebounds, and five assists while Ellis poured in 18 points (six-of-12 shooting from the field) to go along with four rebounds, four assists over 25 minutes.

Mason Jones drills a step-back 3, and it’s a 20-point Kings lead pic.twitter.com/8M6k9Surku

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 7, 2024

The buzz surrounding DeRozan’s widely reported visit to Sacramento took center stage on Day 1, and rightfully so.

Acquiring DeRozan, one of the NBA’s top scorers over the past decade, gives the Kings another go-to scorer that will be able to compliment Fox, All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis, returning Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk, and emerging forward Keegan Murray on a new-look roster.

Adding the six-time All-Star doesn’t mean that Sacramento general manager Monte McNair has clocked out for the summer as starting guard Kevin Huerter’s $16.8 million salary–along with multiple future first-round picks–could be dangled in potential deals for more upgrades.

Following weeks of pressure to make a move, McNair and the Kings front office finally struck in a big way by arguably luring the most-notable free agent to the 916 since the franchise relocated to Sacramento in 1985.

DeRozan ended the 2023-24 season with per-game averages of 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals on 48 percent shooting from the field, 33 percent from deep, and 85 percent from the free-throw line.

It’s a new era in Sacramento, and it all started on Saturday night at Day 1 of the California Classic.

DeMar DeRozan is in the building! pic.twitter.com/P8LESJACaJ

— Joe Jarosz (@justjoemorose) July 7, 2024

More on new Kings forward DeMar DeRozan

Sacramento Kings to acquire DeMar DeRozan in sign & trade deal

Injury Report

Kings rookie Devin Carter (shoulder) will not participate in the California Classic. It’s currently unknown if the 13th overall pick from June’s NBA Draft will be available in next week’s Summer League action in Las Vegas.

When is the next Sacramento Kings off-season date of interest?

The 2024 California Classic will continue on Sunday afternoon as the Kings face the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center.

Action is set to tip off at 7:00 PM as Colby Jones, Keon Ellis, and Mason Jones take the floor for Sacramento against fourth-overall pick Stephon Castle and the Spurs.

Sactown Sports 1140 will have all of your Sacramento Kings coverage for the California Classic, Summer League, free agency, and much more!