DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis go through first workout as teammates

Aug 21, 2024, 8:45 AM

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls shoots in the first half of th...

(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

With just over one month to go until the start of NBA training camps, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis are getting acclimated with one another.

The two Sacramento Kings stars are currently going through workouts together in Los Angeles, with Kings assistant coaches Doug Christie and Leandro Barbosa also in attendance for the joint session.

“It was good,” Sabonis said of his first workout with his new teammate, per the social media accounts of NBA trainer Jonny Stephene. “First workout with DeMar. Flew in last night in LA. Going to be here for the week with him, and just trying to get to know our games and kind of pick and choose the spots we like and try and get the best out of it.”

DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis in the lab together putting in work 🤩

(via dribble2much/IG)pic.twitter.com/qDdx5x2oeG

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 20, 2024

Sabonis, who has earned top-ten finishes in NBA MVP voting over the past two seasons, is one of the best distributors in the league–even while operating out of the center position.

The reigning All-NBA Third Team big finished the 2023-24 season with top-ten rankings in assists (673, 4th in the NBA) and assists per game (8.2, 6th in the NBA), all while claiming his second-straight rebounding title (career-high 13.7 per contest).

By adding a talented scorer like DeRozan to the mix, Sabonis–who is known for his often-used dribble-hand-offs–will have another offensive weapon to find on offense alongside De’Aaron Fox, Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray.

In the clip of DeRozan and Sabonis’ workout, you can see the two getting reps in on dribble-hand-off actions–something that Kings fans will be delighted to see often come the regular season.

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?

Now that we know when the Kings will suit up for their season-opener, we can look forward to October 24th for the Beam Team’s season-opening matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Training camps will begin at the end of September, meaning there could still be a move or two up general manager Monte McNair’s sleeve to round out Sacramento’s roster before players report to Golden 1 Center.

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.