JUST IN: Kings’ DeMar DeRozan Explains Decision To Sign With Sacramento
As they prepare for the 2024-25 season, the Sacramento Kings have what’s their most talented roster since Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, and Mike Bibby were heading the charge. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, whose careers have been on the upswing, already gave them two All-Star-level talents. DeMar DeRozan‘s decision to sign with the Kings after leaving the Chicago Bulls now gives them the vaunted ‘Big 3.’
This week, DeRozan explained his decision to join Sacramento after being invited onto the set of Podcast P with Paul George.
“I had a h*** of a time in Chicago,” DeRozan tells George.
“Had some h*** of a teammates in Chicago,” he continues. “Great city, great place. I think I was just looking for an opportunity just to win at a high level. Wherever that was going to be. I think coming out of last season, that was kind of like my view and my approach on this upcoming season.”
“…Everybody knew I’m in a place where I just want to win. So from there, I just let the cards play out…
Then the Kings “came about and they were showing interest. Like, real interest,” DeRozan reflects.
“So, when I sat back and looked at it and analyzed the team; great players, great coach. I just always remember the last couple years always seeing them light this d*** beam and winning and all that.”
“…I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
“That’s definitely one thing you always want to be a part of, is a contagious culture of an organization that wants to win,” DeRozan adds when George noted what’s a positively electric atmosphere in Sacramento.
“When I looked at all that, I just felt like it fit. It was a big key piece that I felt like I could bring from a leadership standpoint and definitely from a skill standpoint that could kind of push us over the edge. It became more and more appealing as I weighed it.
Though he admits he “kind of took a while to sign because I just wanted to make sure the next decision (he) made gave me the best opportunity to win,” the Compton native was sold before the ink dried.
The Last Word About DeMar DeRozan’s Leadership
DeRozan’s point about leadership may be swept under the rug but it shouldn’t.
The Kings have put together several teams that seemed like they could compete for a playoff spot, or more. However, Sacramento often didn’t have the right leaders, and that undermined their talent. Indeed, that’s an issue that the Kings had last season prior to missing the playoffs. Their well-documented struggles against teams under .500 was a byproduct of their lack of focus. If DeRozan takes charge in the locker room, his teammates will likely respond due to both his background and likability. With 63 playoff games under his belt, he knows more than any of them the approach and mindset that they need to have to clinch a postseason berth.
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