Kings and DeMar DeRozan have not engaged in buyout discussions.
If DeMar DeRozan stays with the Sacramento Kings beyond the trade deadline, the team has no intention of buying out his existing contract, according to sources within the organization.
In response to a report suggesting DeRozan as a “strong possibility” for a buyout in the coming month, league sources indicated that there have been no conversations with DeRozan’s representatives regarding that option.
DeRozan is currently in the second year of a three-year deal that was signed in the summer of 2014. He is set to receive $25.7 million next season, with only $10 million of that amount being guaranteed.
Like all of Sacramento’s veteran players, DeRozan has been somewhat available leading up to the trade deadline, but the Kings have not been eager to move his contract. Should he remain with the team past the deadline, the partial guarantee allows the Kings to assess his trade value or consider reducing salary this summer.
Veteran teammates, coaches, and executives continue to commend DeRozan’s professionalism behind the scenes, as he has maintained a productive and positive attitude despite the changes in management and the challenging environment he did not initially agree to join.
DeRozan is averaging 19.2 points over 51 games this season. Earlier this month, he became the 23rd player in NBA history to reach 26,000 career points.
