DeMar DeRozan is waived by the Sacramento Kings and opens free agency as an unrestricted target for contenders

Sacramento moved on from DeMar DeRozan on Monday, July 6, waiving the 17-year NBA veteran and turning the former All-Star into an unrestricted free agent. The decision ends his two-season run with the Kings after the franchise brought him in during the 2024 offseason, and it reshapes the summer market for teams looking for a seasoned, low-drama scorer with playmaking feel in half-court settings.

DeRozan, drafted in 2009 by the Toronto Raptors with the ninth overall pick, has spent his career building a reputation as a steady offensive option who can generate points without needing the ball in pure isolation every possession. Along the way, he has also played for the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls, and he enters this stage of his career as a recognizable NBA brand built on longevity, professionalism, and routine shot-making.

During the 2025-26 season, DeRozan played 77 games and led Sacramento in games started. He also ranked as the Kings’ top scorer among players with at least 50 appearances, averaging 18.4 points per contest, according to coverage of his Kings tenure. That production matters in the free agency context because it gives potential suitors a concrete baseline: DeRozan was not simply a veteran presence, he was part of the team’s primary scoring structure.

The Kings’ roster decision appears to be tied to front-office flexibility rather than a sudden change in role. Reporting around the move indicated that DeRozan and Sacramento’s front office worked collaboratively in exploring possible outcomes, including searching for trade destinations before the team ultimately shifted to a waiver path. ESPN also reported that multiple contenders were expected to have interest once DeRozan cleared the waived status into free agency.

DeRozan has publicly framed his career goal as improving and finding ways to add value to winning teams. In an April exit interview with USA TODAY Sports during his time with Sacramento, he said his goal since entering the league has been “to try and find ways to come back and be better,” a mindset that will likely resonate with teams looking for a clear, experienced option in the rotation.

What to watch next is not only where DeRozan signs, but how he is expected to fit. For teams in contention, his most common value is as a third-unit creator who can score efficiently, slow games down when needed, and provide calm late-game shot-making. For teams rebuilding or reshaping their roster, his appeal is that he can shoulder real minutes immediately while mentoring younger wings and forwards.

One caveat: while several outlets have published potential landing spots, the specific short list of teams is still unfolding as this is early free agency and expectation does not equal agreement. The practical next step is monitoring whether a contender makes a clear roster case for DeRozan as a rotation staple or whether he settles into a role that maximizes his strengths without disrupting team chemistry.

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