DeMar DeRozan dribbles the ball for the Sacramento Kings against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center

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Sacramento Kings Expected To Waive DeMar DeRozan, Not Pursuing Ja Morant Trade

Ashish MathurJune 23, 2026 4:39 PMJune 23, 2026 4:44 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Kings Set To Waive DeRozan, Pass On Morant

Rebuilding Move on DeRozan: The Sacramento Kings are expected to waive veteran forward DeMar DeRozan—who holds a stellar career scoring average of 21.1 points per game—as the franchise fully commits to a deep roster rebuild.
No Interest in Morant: Despite widespread rumors that the Memphis Grizzlies are planning to trade star playmaker Ja Morant this summer, Sacramento is explicitly not pursuing a deal for the dynamic guard.
Draft Positioning After Bleak Season: Following a dismal 22-60 campaign, the Kings’ front office is prioritizing long-term asset development through the draft, where they currently hold the No. 7 overall pick.

The Sacramento Kings are expected to waive DeMar DeRozan and are not pursuing a trade for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Sacramento is in deep rebuild mode. The franchise has the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft after going 22-60 this past season.

“In the midst of a rebuild and over the first apron, barring an unexpected trade, the Sacramento Kings are expected to waive-and-stretch forward DeMar DeRozan, HoopsHype has learned,” Scotto wrote. “DeRozan’s $25.74 million expiring contract is only guaranteed for $10 million, which can be stretched over the next three seasons. Should DeRozan enter free agency as expected, the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to have interest in the California native, HoopsHype has learned. … With the Kings projected to take a point guard with the No. 7 pick in the NBA Draft, the chances of the franchise pursuing Morant going forward are unlikely, HoopsHype has learned.”

DeRozan has spent the past two seasons with the Kings. He averaged 22.2 points per game during the 2024-25 season and put up 18.4 points per game this past season. The six-time All-Star turns 37 in August. He’s better suited to play for a contender at this stage of his career.

A USC product, DeRozan has career averages of 21.1 points per game with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Kings. He’s been in the NBA since 2009.

Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the last year of his contract. The 26-year-old doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can’t control where the Grizzlies trade him this offseason.

In 20 games for Memphis this past season, Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per contest. He was the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year and the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year.

A two-time All-Star, Morant holds career averages of 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game. It will be fascinating to see where the point guard is playing next season.