Kings star DeMar DeRozan makes bold prediction during promotional tour for his new book
DeMar DeRozan is advocating for mental health and discussing his new home with the Sacramento Kings during a promotional tour for his new book, “Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm.”
DeRozan chronicles a very personal yet public struggle with depression in hopes that others will not suffer alone. He is also setting lofty expectations for the Kings, predicting they will reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2002, when they lost to the Los Angels Lakers in an epic and controversial seven-game playoff series.
ESPN recently asked DeRozan for his boldest take for the 2024-25 NBA season. DeRozan said: “My boldest NBA take for the season? Kings — Western Conference finals.”
Sacramento acquired DeRozan in July in a three-team sign-and-trade deal involving the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan, 35, is a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection. Time will tell how well DeRozan fits in Sacramento, but his arrival represents a significant upgrade in talent around a core that already features De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter.
The Kings will face stiff competition in the Western Conference from the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento just missed the playoffs last season, losing to the Pelicans in the final game of the play-in tournament after going 46-36 to tie for ninth in the West.
The Kings were disappointed with that outcome a year after winning 48 games to secure the No. 3 seed in the West, ending the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons. They faced the Golden State Warriors in an unforgettable first-round series that ended with a 50-point performance from Stephen Curry in Game 7.
The Kings could be contenders again with the addition of DeRozan. On the latest episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” DeRozan said he chose to sign with the Kings after drawing interest from the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat.
DeRozan said Sacramento’s talent, culture and the leadership of coach Mike Brown were factors in his decision.
“Sac came about and they were showing interest,” DeRozan said. “Like, real interest, so when I sat back and looked at it and analyzed the team: great players, great coach. I just remember the last couple of years always seeing them lighting this damn beam and winning.”
DeRozan joked that he had to wait for George to sign with the 76ers before he could make his own decision to sign with Sacramento.
“One, and this is funny, I had to wait for what you were going to do,” DeRozan told George. “So, I’m waiting for what you were going to do, first of all. I had a hell of a time in Chicago. I had some hell of a teammates in Chicago. Great city, great place. I think I was just looking for an opportunity just to win at a high level, wherever that was going to be. I think coming out of last season, that was my view and my approach on this upcoming season. “So, when the season ended, I just took a seat back. Everybody knew I’m in a place where I just want to win, so from there I just let the cards play out in a way to where, ‘All right, let me see what landscape or what is going to win, and where I can be a part of that and help with that.’”
DeRozan said he likes the direction the Kings have taken in recent years. General manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox have brought transformational changes to the long-suffering franchise, hiring Brown, acquiring Monk and drafting Murray among other moves while reshaping the roster.
“They for sure have a movement,” DeRozan said. “And that’s one thing you always definitely want to be a part of is a contagious culture of an organization that wants to win. When I looked at all that, it just felt like it fit. It was a big key piece that I can bring from a leadership standpoint and definitely skills standpoint that can push us over the edge. It became more and more appealing as I weighed it.
“I took a while to sign because I wanted to make sure the next decision I made gave me the best opportunity to win. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
This story was originally published September 16, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
