DeMar DeRozan considered joining Clippers before choosing Kings

When All-Star wingman Paul George departed the Los Angeles Clippers in the early goings of the free agency period, the team had a huge void to fill.

According to another All-Star forward, DeMar DeRozan, he could have filled it had he decided to join the Clippers. In an interview with Paul George on Podcast P, the 15-year pro revealed that he seriously considered returning to the City of Angels to play for the Clippers.

DeRozan had his fair share of options

The 35-year-old 6-foot-7 wingman remains in prime condition, evidenced by the fact that he led the league in minutes per game last season, playing 37.8 minutes per game for the Chicago Bulls. DeRozan's crunchtime prowess continues to be a huge part of his game, as he finished second in the race for the Clutch Player of the Year award, which the Golden State Warriors superstar eventually won.

For these reasons and more, Deebo had his fair share of teams to choose from in unrestricted free agency.

"Philly definitely was an option," DeMar revealed . " You know, Lakers was an option, always. Clippers was an option, and the Heat was an option. I'd say those teams for sure were a real personal legitimate option for me to, you know, that I was considering."

DeRozan explained that following his stint in Chicago, where he missed out on the NBA Playoffs in two of his three seasons, he wanted to go to a team on the winning track.

Looking for opportunity to compete for title

"I was just looking for an opportunity just to, you know, just to win at a high level, you know, wherever that was going to be," DeMar shared. "Sac came about and they were showing interest, like real interest. So when I sat back and looked at it and analyzed the team—great players, great coach, and I just always remember the last couple years of always seeing them light this damn beam and winning and all that."

Deebo has joined a team led by another crunchtime assassin, De'Aaron Fox, alongside do-it-all big man Domantas Sabonis, promising forward Keegan Murray, and super sixth man, Malik Monk. Instead of playing for the Clippers, DeMar DeRozan will be competing against them.

Related: Clippers guard on the impact of Kawhi Leonard's arrival in Toronto