Full Breakdown
Sacramento Kings Waive DeMar DeRozan; Lakers Close Door on Veteran Scorer
7/7/2026, 1:03:41 PM
Core Event: Waiver and Lakers’ Decision
The Sacramento Kings announced Monday that they have waived six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan, making him an unrestricted free agent. Within hours, NBA insiders confirmed that the Los Angeles Lakers are not considering him as a landing spot, citing a focus on Luka Doncic’s timeline.
Background & Context: Kings’ Rebuild and Contract Constraints
DeRozan arrived in Sacramento in summer 2024 via a three-team sign-and-trade from Chicago. The Kings hoped his scoring would boost a roster with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, but the team fell from 40-42 in 2024-25 to 22-60 in 2025-26, fired coach Mike Brown, traded Fox, and dismissed GM Monte McNair. With the franchise above the luxury-tax apron, waiving DeRozan—who carries a $25.7 million salary with only $10 million guaranteed—creates at least $15.7 million in cap relief.
Data & Statistics: DeRozan’s Career and Recent Production
DeRozan ranks 16th-18th all-time in points (26,711) and has six All-Star nods and three All-NBA selections. In 2025-26 he posted 18.4 points, 4.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game, shooting 49.7 % from the field and 32 % from three, and started 77 of 82 games.
Official Statements & Responses: Team Comments and Insider Insight
The Kings issued a thank-you note praising DeRozan’s durability and professionalism. Lakers insiders Jake Fischer and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said the franchise is prioritizing younger, defensive-oriented wings—specifically Jonathan Kuminga—to complement Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and that DeRozan does not fit the team’s timeline.
Criticism & Opposition: Analyst View on Fit and Value
Analysts say DeRozan’s scoring and playoff experience are valuable for a contender, but his limited three-point range and age (turning 37) clash with the Lakers’ focus on spacing and perimeter defense, making his fit questionable.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps: Discrepancies in Age, Guarantees, and Salary
- Age: AP/ESPN list DeRozan as 36; Lakers Daily lists him as 37.
- Guarantee: ESPN calls it a “partial guarantee,” other sources say only $10 million is guaranteed.
- Stretch deadline: reported as “end of August” and “August 31.”
- Contract amount: $25.7 million versus $27.7 million in some reports.
Impact & Next Steps: Cap Relief, Roster Implications, and Potential Suitors
Waiving DeRozan gives the Kings immediate cap relief and a roster spot for future moves, while the Lakers continue building around Doncic with younger wings. Contenders such as the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have been linked to DeRozan, positioning him as a veteran scorer if a team misses out on LeBron James.
Verbatim Quotes: Direct Voices
- “Thank you for every bucket, every big moment, and every time you represented Sacramento.” — Sacramento Kings
- “I’d be really surprised if they wanted to bring on a 37-year-old DeMar DeRozan, who is not the typical 3-and-D wing player that you would want to put next to Luka Doncic.” — Jake Fischer, Lakers insider
- “The Los Angeles Lakers are not considered a potential landing spot for veteran guard DeMar DeRozan after he was released by Sacramento on Monday, multiple league sources told ESPN.” — Dave McMenamin, ESPN
- “There was just a lot of s--- going on internally we tried to fight through as players, and I can only imagine from a coaching staff.” — DeMar DeRozan
