[Saba Sports News] DeMar DeRozan has been waived by the Sacramento Kings and is now an unrestricted free agent. Last season, the 36-year-old veteran appeared in 77 regular-season games for the Kings, averaging 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists. His shooting splits stood at 49.7% from the field, 32% from three-point range and 86.8% from the free-throw line. Frankly speaking, those are solid numbers, especially considering DeRozan is already 36 years old. What’s more, his annual salary is only around $25 million, which is quite reasonable by today’s NBA standards. However, the Kings are in full rebuild mode and were determined to trade DeRozan to make room for their young core, yet no team was willing to take on his contract. Only roughly $10 million of DeRozan’s salary for next season is guaranteed. The Kings have the option to apply the stretch provision, spreading that $10 million guaranteed sum evenly across three seasons, which will drastically ease their cap hit from the waiver.
The editor believes that DeMar DeRozan has instantly drawn widespread attention after hitting free agency. Multiple title-contending teams are keeping tabs on him, as he can now be signed merely with a veteran’s minimum contract. Teams including the Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat all hope to land DeRozan.