DeRozan's stellar play prompts calls to allow the veteran scorer a championship run with a contender, not a rebuilding Kings squad.
The Sacramento Kings (12-43) have been defeated in 13 consecutive games. As a result, the squad has zero chance of dusting themselves off in an effort to experience postseason basketball in 2026, but the same can't be said for DeMar DeRozan.
As an individual, the 6-time All-Star has plenty to offer to a contending squad, and talks of a potential buyout have now taken center stage.
The remarkably consistent 36-year-old remains a premier offensive option, bringing his remaining time with Sacramento into serious question more than halfway into his 17th season.
From the perspective of Sactown Sports 1140's Matt George, the rebuilding Kings' front office would be doing the all-time great scorer a well-earned favor by allowing him to compete for a title elsewhere.
"Does he really need to go through this?" George shared Tuesday.
"Is he going to teach the young guys that much more between now and the end of the season than what he's gone through right now. And should the Sacramento Kings maybe even do the right thing by letting him go at this point in his career, sign somewhere else and play meaningful basketball?"
George's assessment of the situation is a popular takeaway from DeRozan's time with the Kings this season.
Even on a clearly tanking team actively turning to their younger prospects and sitting the accomplished veterans, DeRozan's competed in all 55 of Sacramento's games and done a fantastic job of supporting their next generation.
At this point, it would be nothing short of an insult to keep him around for the sake of mentoring the youth, when he could be providing real value to a franchise aiming to claim the 2026 NBA title.
Through those 55 straight appearances to this juncture, DeRozan's remained as effective as ever, averaging 18.7 points and 3.8 assists on a 59.5% true shooting percentage.
Sure, it would be ideal for the Kings to employ a few experienced vets through the course of their tumultuous rebuild, but DeRozan should not be one of them.
The NBA's buyout market is shaping up to be a lucrative one this season, and the introduction of DeRozan would trigger responses from a few teams looking to stock up on shot-creators.
He's been nothing but a consummate professional through his 132-game career with the Kings, but it's time for Scott Perry to rip the bandage off and give DeRozan one more chance to notch his first championship.
It was already shocking that his trade market appeared to dry up prior to the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but that might have been because a buyout was on the table anyways.
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