Domantas Sabonis: DeMar DeRozan “makes my life way easier”

Aug 26, 2024, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:00 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 14: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings warms up before the...

|Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center on April 14, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

On Sunday, Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis hosted a youth camp in Rocklin. During the camp, he spoke with reporters about his recent Southern California workouts with DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Huerter, and Boogie Ellis.

Sacramento acquired DeMar DeRozan via sign-and-trade from Chicago in exchange for Harrison Barnes, Chris Duarte, and an unprotected 2031 pick-swap over the offseason. Throughout last week, the six-time All-Star has built his initial synergy with Sabonis, who is the hub of the Kings’ free-flowing, equal-opportunity offense with a heavy dose of dribble handoffs.

When asked about adjusting to setting up another star in DeRozan, the Lithuanian big responded, “Nothing. I think he just makes my life way easier,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep doing my job. Having him on the court is going to give me a lot more options and the same thing for him. So, we’re excited. We got some good work in together.”

Last season with the Bulls, just 2.7 percent of DeRozan’s offensive possessions were handoffs, where he converted 0.857 points per possession, per Synergy Sports. Playing alongside Domantas Sabonis will lead to a notable spike in that frequency.

Huerter, who missed the final 15 games of the regular season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, also went down to USC for some of the workouts. “He’s looking healthy,” Domantas Sabonis of Huerter. “He’s shooting the ball really good, and he’s in a good spot. So, we’re hoping he’s healthy for the season.”

The first step in the process is gaining chemistry and familiarity with new teammates, especially when they are All-Star caliber. Some of Sacramento’s projected starters seem to be getting that process started sooner than usual.

Domantas Sabonis also shared that the team will have a players-only camp in San Diego starting today (Monday).

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, when the Beam Team will face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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

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