DeMar DeRozan is surging on the all-time scoring list. Will the Sacramento Kings veteran crack the top 10 next season?
DeMar DeRozan climbed multiple spots on the NBA's all-time scoring list this season, moving all the way to No. 16.
The Sacramento Kings' veteran forward passed multiple current and past legends on his way up the list, including John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, Tim Duncan, Stephen Curry, Dominique Wilkins and, most recently, Oscar Robertson.
Kings head coach Doug Christie talked about how special it has been to witness DeRozan's rise on a daily basis.
"He just continues to move up the ladder. Super proud of him, for him," Christie said late in the season. "It couldn't happen to a better person and a better pro. I mean, he's a pro's pro and to watch him have this type of success is exciting for all of us."
The six-time NBA All-Star averaged 18.4 points per game this season, shooting a stellar 49.7 percent from the field. With another such statistical season, DeRozan will close in on Shaquille O'Neal for a place in the top 10.
While this is an incredible accomplishment, not everyone was pleased with DeRozan's climb and real potential to crack the top 10.
After passing Robertson, Carson Breber of the "Nerd Sesh" podcast posted on X to call the possibility of DeRozan entering the top 10 "disturbing." He pointed out DeRozan needs only average 18 points per game for another 105 games to do so.
DeRozan clapped back at Breber, questioning the self-proclaimed analyst and calling him a "clown."
Breber responded, "I think it’s weird that your teams have been better with you off the court for your entire career and you are probably going to end up with more career points than Shaq."
DeRozan answered once more, writing, "And it’s weird you live behind a computer, dweeb!"
Breber later released a video in which he explained at length his "disturbing" comments, pointing out DeRozan's lack of playoff accomplishments and advanced metrics.
While DeRozan has never been part of an NBA championship team and may not have the individual achievements many of his fellow top-20 scorers possess, his scoring prowess and efficiency cannot be doubted.
The 2025 season marked the fifth time in DeRozan's career shooting 49 percent or better, a highly efficient mark for a jump-shooting wing.
DeRozan's availability has also stayed steady, playing in 74 or more games for the past five seasons.
While critics may point to DeRozan's negative advanced metrics or lack of postseason success, his place in scoring history is becoming difficult to ignore.
If he continues at this pace, the argument won't be whether or not he's one of the best scorers of all time, but rather how high he can climb. With 18-20 points per game next season, DeRozan will threaten entering the top-10 all time.
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