{"id":94980,"date":"2024-09-09T22:42:19","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T02:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=94980"},"modified":"2024-09-09T22:42:19","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T02:42:19","slug":"kings-demar-derozan-lists-teams-had-his-ear-in-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/09\/kings-demar-derozan-lists-teams-had-his-ear-in-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Kings Star Lists Teams That Had His Ear In Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When the Sacramento Kings won the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/derozde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeMar DeRozan<\/a> sweepstakes, few could\u2019ve predicted it.<\/p>\n<p>On the one hand, the Kings were once considered the most dysfunctional organization in the NBA. Though they\u2019ve since turned the franchise around, attracting a free agent of DeRozan\u2019s caliber was shocking. On the other hand, he was being chased by multiple teams.<\/p>\n<p>In the latest episode of <em>Podcast P with Paul George<\/em>, the 35-year-old talks about his free agency, revealing that he was seriously considering five teams.<\/p>\n<h2>Kings\u2019 DeMar DeRozan Reveals Teams That Had His Ear In Free Agency<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cI was thinking about (Philadelphia),\u201d DeRozan tells George. \u201cPhilly definitely was an option. You know, the (Los Angeles) Lakers was an option, always. (Los Angeles) Clippers was an option. And the (Miami) Heat was an option.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">DeMar DeRozan says he seriously considered the LA Clippers in free agency this summer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPhilly definitely was an option. Lakers was an option always. Clippers was an option. And the Heat\u2026 Those teams, for sure, were real personal, legitimate options that I was considering.\u201d <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JGAYusWGM5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/JGAYusWGM5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TomerAzarly\/status\/1833246371199259127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 9, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll say those teams \u2014for sure \u2014was a real personal, legitimate option that I was considering,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n<h3>Staying In The East?<\/h3>\n<p>DeRozan possibly signing with the Philadelphia 76ers didn\u2019t get much coverage this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, the Sixers were strongly linked to George and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleji01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Butler<\/a> at the start of the offseason rather than DeRozan. Even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a> was mentioned as a darkhorse acquisition. Nonetheless, DeRozan\u2019s scoring ability and his relationship with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lowryky01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Lowry<\/a> likely would\u2019ve been intriguing to Daryl Morey.<\/p>\n<p>Even still, Philadelphia is one of the few teams that won\u2019t lose much sleep over not signing DeRozan. They signed George, drafted\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mccaija01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jared McCain<\/a>, extended <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/maxeyty01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyrese Maxey<\/a>\u2019s contract, as well as re-signed Lowry and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/oubreke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kelly Oubre<\/a>. They also added <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/drumman01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Drummond<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gordoer01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eric Gordon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jacksre01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reggie Jackson<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/martica02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caleb Martin<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/y\/yabusgu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Guerschon Yabusele<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re now regarded as a bonafide championship contender.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, DeRozan and the Heat were painted as star-crossed lovers. In fact, had they had a bigger budget, the Heat had <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/07\/11\/heat-holdup-demar-derozan-trade-revealed\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">a legitimate shot<\/a> at signing the multi-time All-Star. The fit might have been a bit clunky with a number of Miami\u2019s players at their best in the midrange. Nonetheless, their anemic offense would\u2019ve gotten a much needed boost.<\/p>\n<p>The Heat are undoubtedly happy with their rookie class, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wareke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kel\u2019el Ware<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/steveis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Stevens<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/larsspe01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pelle Larsson<\/a> all stood out this summer. However, the drop-off from DeRozan to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/burksal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Burks<\/a> is quite steep, with all due respect. Miami will still be competitive, but their ceiling was lowered.<\/p>\n<h3>Going Back Home<\/h3>\n<p>Like signing with the Kings, a move to the Lakers or Clippers would\u2019ve kept him in his beloved home state.<\/p>\n<p>With the Lakers comes legacy; a franchise that\u2019s won 17 NBA championships. As late Lakers legend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bryanko01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kobe Bryant<\/a> is DeRozan\u2019s personal GOAT, he had even more of a reason to want to play for them. It didn\u2019t hurt that they\u2019ll be <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/27\/lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-speaks-on-lebron-james-huge-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">seen as championship-contenders<\/a> so long as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a> is around.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">DeMar DeRozan:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKobe is my GOAT\u2026 but what\u2019s real is real. The s*** [James Harden] was doing\u2014 I don\u2019t think we\u2019ll ever see that again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>(via <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/club520podcast?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@club520podcast<\/a>) <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LY6hXtsMUS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/LY6hXtsMUS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LegionHoops\/status\/1828261627172417808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 27, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>On the court, there would\u2019ve been concerns about perimeter defense and floor balance. However, on paper, the Lakers would\u2019ve had arguably the best Big 3 out West. Perhaps that adds to why DeRozan\u2019s reported interest in the Clippers was drowned out.<\/p>\n<p>Unironically, DeRozan would\u2019ve meshed with the Clips better than any of the aforementioned teams though. Even Sacramento.<\/p>\n<p>He would have been surrounded by multiple high-level perimeter defenders. He would\u2019ve had two future Hall of Famers beside him in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James Harden<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonaka01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a>. Lastly, there would be fewer teammates to step on his toes with Leonard his only teammate focused on generating midrange shots.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When the Sacramento Kings won the DeMar DeRozan sweepstakes, few could\u2019ve predicted it. On the one hand, the Kings were once considered the most dysfunctional organization in the NBA. Though they\u2019ve since turned the franchise around, attracting a free agent of DeRozan\u2019s caliber was shocking. On the other hand, he was being chased by multiple [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":94998,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1608,62,3],"tags":[350,551,297],"class_list":["post-94980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kings","category-basketball","category-nba","category-news","tag-demar-derozan","tag-kobe-bryant","tag-nba-free-agency"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94980"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94980\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}