DeMar DeRozan on why he chose Kings over Lakers

DeMar DeRozan has taken a subtle dig at his hometown franchise, the Lakers, by suggesting he was more drawn to the Kings during his free-agency process this summer.

In an interview with "Podcast P," DeRozan revealed he considered the Lakers, Clippers, 76ers and Heat but ultimately chose the Kings due to their "contagious culture" and talented roster.

"I was just looking for an opportunity to win at a high level wherever that was going to be," DeRozan said. "Once last season ended, I took a seat back — everybody knew I just wanted to win — so from there, I let the cards play out to where I wanted to see the landscape of what [team] was going to win. Sac just came about, and they were showing real interest. When I analyzed the team — great players, great coach."

The six-time All-Star believes the Kings have "a movement" taking place, pointing to their players lighting a beam after home wins at the vibrant Golden 1 Center. Watching their culture from afar over the past few years, DeRozan felt compelled to be a part of 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. When I looked at all that, I just felt like it fit," DeRozan said of his new team.

It's rather telling that DeRozan, 35, was more attracted to a Kings squad led by the young All-Star duo of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sobanis over the celebrated tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

James was reportedly willing to take a pay cut so the Lakers could create a $12.9 million mid-level exception (MLE) to offer either DeRozan, Klay Thompson or Jonas Valanciunas. Once those players signed elsewhere, James took the max deal, precluding the Lakers from using the MLE.

DeRozan signed a three-year deal worth $77 million with the Kings as part of a sign-and-trade with Chicago.