With three and a half weeks until February 5th’s trade deadline arrives, the Sacramento Kings are expected to be active in shopping some of their talent.
General manager Scott Perry often references being “prudent and opportunistic” in his team-building process, as he said earlier this week on The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross.
“I think the key is building, and it requires patience. I have not seen many impatient or rash, reactionary decision-making lead to sustainable winning, and I’ve been in this league 25 years.”
Sitting at 10-30 on the season, Sacramento currently ranks 14th in the Western Conference, even after winning a back-to-back against the Rockets and Lakers. With that comes the third-best lottery odds and a 14 percent chance at the number one overall selection in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft, if the season were to end today.
Given that reality, there’s little reason to retain some of their veteran talent. Since Perry took over in the offseason, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, Keon Ellis, and Dennis Schroder have all been mentioned in various trade rumors.
Each has unique contract, production, and/or valuation complications that create confusion in the market. I will be diving into potential trades for each of those candidates in the weeks leading up to the deadline, starting with the 26th all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
Current Impact of DeMar DeRozan
If you’ve watched the NBA over the last decade and a half, you’re probably familiar with DeRozan’s game. Drafted ninth overall by Toronto in 2009, he’s been climbing the all-time record list in his second season with Sacramento and is 17th total.
Earlier in the week, DeRozan surpassed 26,000 career points, helping further solidify his Hall of Fame resume. This season, the 36-year-old has averaged 19 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. He’s also had one of his most efficient seasons, converting 51 percent of his looks, the second-highest rate of his career. Sacramento’s offensive struggles, however, hamper how that production is viewed.
The Kings own the second-worst offensive rating (109.0), which isn’t much better with DeRozan on the floor (109.7), as their starting unit has struggled overall.
Unfortunately for the Kings, his player archetype has declined in value over the past few years. Being an offensive weapon who performs best with the ball in their hands—and only minimally without it—while being a superb defender makes finding a fit challenging.
Converting a career-best 36 percent from three is impressive, but he’s done so on just 2.2 attempts per game. When evaluating potential teams, their pre-existing three-point shooting felt essential.
Getting paid $24.7 million this season puts his salary in a highly tradable range. The fact that only $10 million of his $24.7 million salary next season is guaranteed could also appeal to teams looking to move on from longer contracts.
Before diving into the first trade idea, here are some that just didn’t quite make the cut.
Prior to acquiring CJ McCollum in the Trae Young trade, Atlanta was an intriguing fit, as they needed a closer and another player comfortable handling the ball. The expiring salary of Kristaps Porzingis could’ve made sense for the Kings, even though he’s played just 17 games this season. But that deal makes less sense now.
With how Phoenix has stepped up this season, DeRozan could help them, but limited available cap space makes that challenging. It’s a similar story for Minnesota, which is known to be seeking guard help and will likely pursue someone better than DeRozan, as they’re within the title hunt.
Of course, the Kings were also rumored to have minimal interest in Memphis’ Ja Morant unless they’d consider a package of DeRozan, Devin Carter, and an unspecified amount of draft capital. There’s not much more to that, so that deal was not included.
Dallas was briefly considered, but Anthony Davis going down for an extended period should remove any potential of them attempting to salvage this season, at least one would think. Here are three hypothetical deals for DeMar DeRozan:
How Desperate Are The Milwaukee Bucks?
Time is ticking for the Milwaukee Bucks if they want to convince two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to commit to an extension this offseason. For years now, rumors have circulated about when he’ll ask to be relocated, and they’ve never seemed more real than currently.
Eleventh in the Eastern Conference at 17-22, they’re 14-11 when Antetokounmpo plays compared to 3-11 without him. They’ve shown a willingness to take swings to remain in or near contention in the past, including trading for Jrue Holiday before swapping him for Damian Lillard years later. Waiving and stretching Lillard’s deal was a creative way to sign Myles Turner last offseason.
While they’ve been more regularly linked to Zach LaVine, Michael Porter Jr., and Jerami Grant, it feels like anything could be on the table for them. DeRozan would be notably cheaper than those options, with the non-guarantee in next season playing in their favor if Antetokounmpo were to be moved in the offseason.
Being the second-best shooting team in the NBA (39.5 percent) this season, you could see how DeRozan would greatly benefit their team when Antetokounmpo is unavailable. His fit on offense alongside the superstar is more questionable, but perhaps playing as a sixth man is ideal at this point in his career anyway. Defensively, however, DeRozan’s defensive shortcomings can be addressed by Antetokounmpo and Turner.
Plus, the Bucks have a player that the Kings nearly traded for previously.
Bucks Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Kings Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Andre Jackson Jr.
For the Kings, acquiring Kuzma is admittedly a move to shake things up. Head coach Doug Christie has often referenced the “logjam” at the guard position, and swapping one of their starting perimeter players for a forward could help open up the rotation for Ellis or Monk if either remains past the deadline.
Back in 2021, a trade between Kuzma and then-King Buddy Hield was all but finalized before Los Angeles elected to go in another direction. While it was under a different regime, it is unclear where his fans are in the organization.
In 37 games this season, Kuzma has averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting a career high 51 percent from the field. His 32.3 percent from three is worse than DeRozan’s this season, but he’s a more ideal positional fit for the Kings.
While often criticized for how much he impacts winning, like LaVine, I’d imagine him as more of a temporary fill-in than part of their long-term plans, barring an unexpected breakout.
Ideally, the Kings would also get second-round picks in return for taking on Kuzma’s $20.3 million guaranteed salary for next season, but the Bucks have none available — which speaks to how much they’ve attempted to appease Antetokounmpo.
That’s where including a young talent like Andre Jackson Jr. (24) on a cheap deal that goes into next season doesn’t hurt either.
DeRozan Goes Home
DeRozan proudly represents the city of Los Angeles, and, more specifically, his hometown of Compton. There have been many instances throughout his career where he was linked to either the Lakers or the Clippers. Throughout this season, the former are the lone team reported to have interest in acquiring the veteran.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in late November that the Clippers had “some interest” in DeRozan. Now, it’s worth noting that at the time they were flirting with the worst record in the league, but have since risen to just outside the play-in spot after winning 10 of their last 12.
Maybe that reality changes their potential interest, but with no control over their own 2026 draft pick and an older roster, the Clippers are committed to winning games now. Honestly, I don’t love the fit, given the Clippers are 24th in defensive rating and already feature other players who need the ball, like James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
But given how often DeRozan is linked to them and the previous reporting, here are two potential deals.
Clippers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Kings Receive (Option 1): John Collins
Kings Receive (Option 2): Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones Jr, 2031 2nd
Under former general manager Monte McNair, Collins was considered a potential option on multiple occasions, but no move was made before he was traded to the Clippers this past offseason. The 28-year-old 6’9 forward is averaging 13.1 points and five rebounds on 54.6 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three this season.
After coming off the bench early, he’s started in 29 consecutive games up to now. Given their recent success, it seems unlikely that Sacramento would acquire his expiring $26.5 million salary unless they were concerned with losing him for nothing in the offseason.
Bogdanovic is a familiar face in California’s capital, where he spent the first three seasons of his career after being drafted 27th in the 2014 NBA Draft. After a respectable run in Atlanta, the now 33-year-old has been underwhelming and largely unavailable in his season and a half with the Clippers. He’s played in just 16 games this season and is currently sidelined with a recurring hamstring strain, with no clear timeline for his return.
It’s a similar story for Jones Jr, who has suffered two Grade 2 MCL sprains this season. The first occurrence caused him to miss 17 games, and the second took place on January 3rd. He’s expected to be re-evaluated in mid-February.
Bogdanovic has a $16 million team option for next season, which likely will be declined, while Jones Jr. is guaranteed $10.5 million in 2026-27.
Taking on additional money for next season, while neither player projects to be part of the next quality Kings roster, makes adding a future second-round pick feel reasonable.
Kings Finally Land Their Target
It’s only right that Jonathan Kuminga’s name comes up when proposing hypothetical Kings trades. He’s been tirelessly connected to Sacramento since his offseason contract fiasco with Golden State. The Athletic’s Sam Amick recently said the Kings “appear to be the number one suitor” for the 23-year-old.
Everyone’s heard the reasoning by now. While his brand of basketball comes with question marks, he’d be one of Sacramento’s young players at 23 and simultaneously one of their most talented.
But the Warriors are known not to be moved by Sacramento’s options. Monk is most often mentioned, but DeRozan falls into that category as well. That’s caused most to believe it would require a third team to finalize a deal. Insert another team DeRozan often finds himself rumored to be with, the Miami Heat.
Their new-look high-paced offense doens’t exactly cater to his style, but his creation in the halfcourt would help lessen the burden on Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Again, don’t assume that DeRozan would have to be a starter on these rosters.
Heat Receive: DeMar DeRozan, Moses Moody, GSW’s 2026 1st
Warriors Receive: Andrew Wiggins
Kings Receive: Jonathan Kuminga
This is a bit of a funky one, and a format that will be used quite often in an attempt to land Kuminga in Sacramento. Adding Wiggins, who spent five and a half seasons with the Warriors, including their 2022 championship, is a clear upgrade over Moody. He’s played efficient basketball for Miami this season, so taking this step back would be a mistake.
To balance that out, the Heat would be getting a player seven years younger in Moody, along with draft compensation. There’s also a move that could be made by attaching second-round picks to Terry Rozier’s $26.6 million expiring salary for DeRozan.
Maybe this wouldn’t be enough for Miami, but finding an ideal landing spot for DeRozan isn’t simple. Don’t expect Perry to have a slew of options leading up to February.
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, meaning the Sacramento Kings could be close to making some deals in the coming weeks.
Kings general manager Scott Perry joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share his thoughts on Sacramento’s approach to the February 5th deadline, outline what has stood out to him during Sacramento’s rough start to the season, and much more.
Read More:
Exclusive: Kings GM Scott Perry lays out goals for upcoming trade deadline
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
- Monday, January 12th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PT
- Wednesday, January 14th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:00 PM PT
- Friday, January 16th – vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PT
- Sunday, January 18th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 6:00 PM PT
- Tuesday, January 20th – vs. Miami Heat – 7:00 PM PT
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