Kings' LaVine Shows Support for Former Teammate on off Day

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan shared a playful hug and smile-filled interactions as the former Sacramento Kings teammates reunited on Wednesday.

LaVine supported DeRozan during the Denver Nuggets' 104-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The former King helped his new team close in the fourth quarter with six points and three assists.

He said DeRozan is one of his best friends and is excited to see his friends play when Sacramento doesn't have a game.

The two spent five seasons together, starting with the Chicago Bulls and ending with the Kings. DeRozan's tenure in Chicago began when the San Antonio Spurs sign-and-traded him in the 2021 offseason.

LaVine and DeRozan transformed the Bulls offense in their first season together. Both averaged over 20 points per game and propelled the team into the No. 1 seed, firing off a nine-game winning streak from Dec. 19 to Jan. 7.

Injuries derailed the team, leading to a sharp drop in the standings after their winning streak. Despite a collapse, they earned All-Star selections that season.

Chicago separated the duo in the 2024 offseason when the team sign-and-traded DeRozan to the Kings. Their time apart wouldn't last long, as several months later, they sent LaVine to the same destination, helping facilitate a multi-team trade sending De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs.

Reunited again, they continued to show their offensive prowess. LaVine effortlessly recorded 30-point performances, and DeRozan steadily climbed the all-time scoring leaderboard.

They couldn't elevate Sacramento into a winning team, but they did grind out impressive wins.

Their two-season tenure ended when the Kings waived DeRozan after failing to facilitate a trade for the 37-year-old. He signed with Denver on the veteran's minimum, hoping to help the franchise return to the NBA Finals.

It's unlikely LaVine will reunite with his best friend in Denver; his time is running out in Sacramento.

His $48.9 million player option crippled the team's ability to add free agents in the offseason. It's also likely scared away trade suitors, who may not want to sacrifice depth for an aging high-level scorer.

The two are thriving on their respective teams for now, and will meet again on the court.

Sacramento will travel to the Ball Arena on Jan. 25, and Denver will travel to the Golden 1 Center on March 8 and 29.