DeMar DeRozan hopes to add a winning touch to the Sacramento Kings after joining the franchise this offseason in a sign-and-trade from the Chicago Bulls . DeRozan took to the court with his new teammates for the team's preseason opener against the Golden State Warriors . While the Kings lost 112-122, DeRozan went 6-6 from the field, opening up about his debut to the media after the game.
“I don't take any moment I ever to get play in this league for granted. I work my butt off, and just to be appreciated and be wanted somewhere, it always feels good, especially as a competitor. To get that reception knowing it was just preseason was definitely cool.”
“We've been working extremely hard all week and it's been a long week of just constantly beating each other up, pushing, competing, trying to learn. I know for me learning the offense, trying to make it easier on myself and other guys. That's just a credit to how hard we've been working and get out there finally, go against somebody else.”
DeRozan had 15 points in 15 minutes of action, going 6-6 from the field, 1-1 from three, and 2-2 from the free throw line. That is unreal offensive efficiency on a team that already ranks as one of the best offenses in the NBA.
The addition of DeRozan has given the Kings new avenues to success, one they hope leads to the franchise becoming a consistent Playoff team once again.
The Kings finished as the 10th seed last season, defeating the Warriors in the Play-In Tournament before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in the final game and missing out on a first-round matchup against the OKC Thunder . Malik Monk was injured during that time, giving the Kings an offensive deficit they simply couldn't get over.
Adding DeRozan adds another major contributor on that end to the franchise, as he averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season and was the runner-up for Clutch Player of the Year.
DeMar DeRozan Wants To Compete At The Highest Level
DeMar DeRozan was one of the few in-demand free agents this offseason, discussing a future with various teams around the NBA . The former Bulls forward could've gone home to LA and joined the Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers , or continued playing in the East but this time with the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat .
“Philly definitely was an option. The Lakers were an option always. Clippers were an option. And the Heat was an option too. Those teams, for sure, were real personal, legitimate options that I was considering.”
Instead, DeRozan committed to a team he felt gave him the most realistic shot at contention with the Kings, a far deeper team with a coach he wanted to play for.
“I was just looking for an opportunity to win at a high level wherever that was going to be. Sacramento came about, and they were showing interest, like real interest. When I sat back and looked at it, and analyzed the team. Great players. Great coach. I just always remember the last couple of years of always seeing them light this damn beam and winning and all that."
The Kings will never have high external expectations, but the franchise will hope DeRozan's arrival means that their 2023 Playoff appearance was no fluke and that the Kings have reestablished themselves as a potential contender in the NBA.
Related: Why The Sacramento Kings Could Fail, And What Could Make Them A Contender?
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