NBA writer says DeMar DeRozan was ‘a huge pickup’ for the Kings

Jul 16, 2024, 8:16 AM | Updated: 8:19 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after the Bulls ma...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Fans in Sacramento are still over the moon about the Kings’ signing of six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan, but how do people outside of the 916 view the move?

Steve Bulpett, senior NBA columnist for Heavy.com, joined The Drive Guys this week to share his thoughts on the Kings’ big swing, explain how the outside perception of Sacramento has changed over the years, and much more.

Check out the full interview below, and be sure to check out more content from Sactown Sports on our YouTube page.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

Click here for full episodes of The Drive Guys.

More on Kings forward DeMar DeRozan

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 off-season date of interest?

The Kings’ Las Vegas Summer League slate continues on Wednesday afternoon with a matchup against the New York Knicks. Action is set to tip off at 12:30 PM PDT and will be broadcast on NBA TV.

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