The Sacramento Kings made a significant move late Saturday evening, agreeing to a sign-and-trade to bring six-time All-Star and California native DeMar DeRozan to Sacramento. DeRozan spent the last three seasons in Chicago and will now return home on a three-year, $74 million contract.
As part of the deal, Sacramento transferred former Dallas Maverick Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs, where he should fit in well with blossoming rookie superstar Victor Wembanyama. Barnes spent two and a half seasons in Dallas, including the first 49 games of Luka Doncic’s tenure in the NBA.
Barnes was dealt from Dallas to Sacramento during the 2019 trade deadline in exchange for Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph. Randolph would be released upon the completion of the transfer. It was essentially a salary dump to free up long-term money, as the Mavs were also trading for Kristaps Porzingis, who would require a new contract.
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Barnes had his best years with Dallas, when he averaged 18.7 points per game over 205 games. He has never had a season with more than 16.4 PPG since being moved from the Mavericks, and San Antonio is hoping he will fit in well with their reconstruction. They had to swap Devonte Graham for Charlotte to make the money work. The Spurs, with a potential starting lineup of Chris Paul, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, and Victor Wembanyama, as well as a bench squad that features Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson, could surprise some people this year and push for the Play-In games.
To complete the deal, Chicago obtained Chris Duarte and future second-round picks. It remains to be seen whether DeRozan can help the Kings become a Western Conference contender. DeRozan is an excellent mid-range shooter, but he reduces team spacing and will be in numerous lines alongside Domantas Sabonis, who also does not space the floor well.
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