DeMar DeRozan takes over Drew League championship game

Aug 12, 2024, 10:12 AM

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 24: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates a basket a during...

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As we wait for the 2024-25 NBA season to begin, DeMar DeRozan is already in mid-season form.

The newest member of the Sacramento Kings put on a show during Sunday’s Drew League championship game, helping his squad overcome a 16-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining to claim a 114-113 win at King/Drew Magnet High School in Los Angeles.

DeRozan dropped 54 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in a win, scoring several clutch buckets down the closing stretch of the game.

In less than two months, DeRozan will don a Kings uniform for the first time when Sacramento begins preseason play in October.

DeMar DeRozan drops 54 POINTS in the Drew League 🔥 @DeMar_DeRozan

54 PTS
11 REB
3 ASTS

(via @DrewLeague) pic.twitter.com/MpWJ3aiyH9

— Overtime (@overtime) August 12, 2024

More on Kings forward DeMar DeRozan

The Kings and DeRozan came to an agreement on a three-year, $76 million deal (third year is partially guaranteed at $10 million) on July 8th.

DeRozan has been one of the NBA’s top scorers over the past decade, averaging 23.5 points per game since the start of the 2013-14 season. The 6’6 wing is coming off an impressive 2023-24 campaign that saw him average 24.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 48/33/85 shooting splits.

The veteran is a gifted scorer in the mid-range, knocking down nearly 50 percent of his jumpers from 10-to-16 feet. DeRozan is also reliable in crunch time, posting top-three finishes in Clutch Player of the Year voting over the past two seasons.

Getting to the foul line is an art form for DeRozan, as the newest member of the Kings ranked second among all NBA leaders in made free throws, third in attempts, and fifth in attempts per game (7.7).

DeRozan is one of 15 NBA players to average 25+ points and 5+ assists per game over the past three seasons–joining potential future teammate De’Aaron Fox–while ranking fifth in Win Shares among the talented group.

Adding DeRozan’s scoring and playmaking abilities to Sacramento’s core is a clear upgrade for a roster that has been in need of a facelift.

When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?

The dog days of the NBA offseason have arrived.

Sacramento will continue to look to add to its roster before players report for training camp at the end of September. The Kings currently have some open roster spots that general manager Monte McNair will have to fill in the coming weeks and months.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Sacramento Kings news on player signings, trades, game recaps, and more for the upcoming season.

NBA Offseason Schedule