A look into the first day of DeMar DeRozan with the Kings

Oct 1, 2024, 5:02 PM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: DeMar DeRozan during a media day photo shoot at Sacramento K...

DeMar DeRozan during a media day photo shoot at Sacramento Kings Practice Facility on September 30, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by John Todd/Getty Images)

(Photo by John Todd/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Day one of Sacramento’s 2024-25 training camp is over, marking the first day DeMar DeRozan got the chance to suit up alongside his teammates in royal purple.

Before diving into that, it’s worth noting that when media was let into the building, Kevin Huerter (shoulder) was seen running drills while Devin Carter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), and Jordan McLaughlin (ankle) were watching from the sideline. They are all dealing with varying timelines.

Now, only so much can be gained from a few hours spent on the court together, with a large majority not featuring five-on-five work, but some of the Kings’ main contributors shared their early thoughts.

Domantas Sabonis mentioned a slight learning curve in realizing when to set a screen for DeRozan compared to letting him go one-on-one but seems hardly concerned about a transition period integrating the six-time All-Star.

“(DeRozan) is a professional,” Sabonis said. “He wants to come in and fit in right away. He’s here to win, so he’s going to do whatever it takes to make that transition easy.”

For a playmaking big like himself, adding another dynamic offensive weapon is nothing but a positive.

Given his on-ball playstyle, there have been more questions about how De’Aaron Fox will remain optimized alongside DeRozan, but he clearly views it as a significant upgrade as well.

“He commands so much attention, especially when he has the ball,” Fox said. “The way that he’s able to create for Domas, create for Keegan, create for myself, it makes the game a whole lot easier for everybody.”

The Kings were walking through their offense, and the speed guard recalled a moment where DeRozan said, “Man, this makes this [explicitive] easy.”

With Fox’s improved three-point shot (36.9 percent from three on 7.8 attempts per game last season), he should see plenty more open catch-and-shoot looks, which he converted at a 39.1 percent rate last season.

One of the more underrated aspects of DeMar DeRozan is his playmaking when drawing defensive attention. That skillset seemed to shine more under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, and Mike Brown, who spent years under Popovich, noticed the same thing on day one.

“Some of the passes he made today, I did not think they were going to get there a couple of times, but he never panicked whenever he played,” he said. “He played at his pace. He went quick when he wanted to go quick. He went slow when he wanted to go slow. He kept the defense off balance, and if somebody was open, he made the right pass.”

“To have the luxury of another guy that knows how to play the game – that can pass, dribble, and shoot – but, more importantly, is a willing passer, it’s going to help us be a little bit more dynamic on the offensive end of the floor.”

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown

Again, we’re only talking about one day of having the full team practicing together, but optimism and excitement about the addition of DeMar DeRozan filled the press conferences.

The future Hall-of-Famer has a grateful perspective, saying he enjoys every first day of training camp. “This is a special group right here” he said. “I want to put everything I’ve got into this team and lay it all out there on the line.”

A dynamic offense could be brewing in Sacramento, but it’s to be seen how long it will take DeMar DeRozan to grow accustomed to their schemes while his new teammates work to optimize his comfort and impact.

Training camp continues everyday throughout the rest of this week.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

The Kings will go through a week of practice and full-contact workouts before opening up the preseason portion of their 2024-25 schedule at home against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, October 9th.

Be sure to catch all of the action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM with Kings vs. Warriors set to tip off at 7:00 PM PDT.