Does DeMar DeRozan make the Sacramento Kings a contender? | ALL NBA Podcast

The addition of DeMar DeRozan should make the Kings a true contender in the Western Conference, as he will form a Big Three with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. During the 2023-24 season, DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 79 regular-season games. The question remains whether his presence can elevate the team to contender status. Additionally, we will review all other moves made during Free Agency.
Join Tim Legler and Adam Mares on today's ALL NBA Podcast!
00:00 - Intro
02:09 - DeMar DeRozan trade to the Sacramento Kings
05:14 - How does DeRozan fit with the Kings?
09:09 - Where do the Kings fall in the West after this move?
14:50 - Harrison Barns to Spurs
18:20 - Caleb Martin to 76ers
23:22 - Buddy Heild to Golden Sate Warriors
26:40 - Does Franz Wagner deserve the max?
29:26 - Dario Saric to Denver Nuggets
32:01 - Denvers Bench line up
36:14 - Olympic group stages set
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#nba #freeagency #nbafreeagency #kings #warriors #dallasmavs #sixers #okcthunder #magic

[@MrOctober44]

People seem to forget Kings beat Denver Three times, OKC twice, and the Twolves twice. They were in the fifth/sixth seed most of the year until Heurter and Monk got in injured.

[@birdiemaker5142]

@@MrOctober44 They lost to terrible teams too. Lost to Detroit, Charlotte, gave up more 20 point leads than any other team…. I just don’t see that happening again next year with Dem Der replacing HB.

[@ctoaun23]

Sac had like 10 straight wins on OKC but OKC got them the last 2, maybe a change of momentum? Still a scary match up as an OKC fan though! Hopefully Caruso can stay in front of Fox a bit better than the others

[@shawn9210]

​@@birdiemaker5142The Kings were a 46 win team with a bunch of inexcusable losses and going 0-5 against the Pelicans. If you think that DeRozan swap is only worth a couple more victories, that's a path to 50 wins and a top 4 playoff seeding.

[@birdiemaker5142]

@@shawn9210 try again buddy. We are saying the same thing. I’m saying I don’t see them having the inexcusable losses with dem der replacing HB :)

[@shawn9210]

@@birdiemaker5142 I was also agreeing with you, just adding the note about how there were so many bad losses that the margin for top 4 is pretty realistic. We're in agreement 😁

[@jessemarlin6861]

The Kings were 19-6 last year when Harrison Barnes scored 15 or more. The problem is he disappeared most nights. Upgrading Barnes to Derozan, imagine what their record will be with Derozan scoring 24 basically every night.

[@blowc1612]

We won 46 games with bad Injuries. Even that kind of ceiling with Barnes. Demar should be able to add 4-5 games at least.

[@NOcanDoification]

Kings could of won like 4-5 extra games if they shot better at the stripe. Kings ranked dead last in freethrow percentage.

[@izxy916]

Its was criminal how bad we shot last year​@NOcanDoification

[@blowc1612]

@@NOcanDoification Because we hardly get to the line because of the refs. WATCH DROZ FTA goes down when he average 7 a game.

[@VictorLionsTV]

@@blowc1612 Yeah DeRozan on the kings should get them 50 wins, I mean look he helped improve Chicago from 31 wins to 46 wins.

[@MaximusR93]

Playoff seeding in the west is volatile, so I could see the Kings get a top 5 seed this year since they got better with Derozan. They were only 4 games out from the 5th seed in 24, I could see them getting to 50 wins.

[@twillhizzle44]

Fox starts it.. runs it thru Ox.. then have Demar off Ox.. and have Murray spot up after setting pic for Fox and rolling to 3 or Rim.. good luck

[@LAC32Griffin]

Sheeeeeesssshhh 🔥

[@bergums]

Goosebumps…..

[@birdiemaker5142]

You forgot Monk. You will likely have 3 of dem der, Fox, Sabonis, and Monk on the court almost all game.

[@twillhizzle44]

@birdiemaker5142 He's the 6th man obviously.. how could anyone forget Mr. Monk!!

[@otismarlon9720]

This all sounds fine and dandy but who on that team is going to play defense?

[@ScottySkilz1]

Sacramento vs all the contenders in the west last year was very good 9-6 vs the top 4 teams in the west also 2-2 vs dallas and phoenix and 4-0 vs lakers...... (0-6 vs Pels mainly due to poor matchups)

[@certifiedsadboi3387]

Won both those games vs Dallas before the trade deadline. 0-2 vs the Dallas finals team.

[@NONcomD]

Pels lost some of the players, so it might be a better matchup now

[@FrankCruzFilms]

Just my 2 cents here. I think Keegan flourishes with the addition of Demar and here’s why…. In his rookie year he proved that he can be a catch and shoot player setting the record for most 3’s by a rookie in NBA history. In his second season there was an emphasis on him being a better defender and putting the ball on the floor. This slightly took him out of his comfort zone and his shooting suffered. If you look at his 40pt game where he hit like 11 3’s in a row almost all of them were catch and shoot. I think this year they let him go back to being a primary catch and shoot player on offense. He can develop a more balanced game as he grows but I think this year the coaching staff will understand that’s its best not to fight what he is. Lean into his strength and let the rest come over time. Don’t fight nature! Keegan is gonna get a ton of good looks and I predict he makes it back to 40% from 3 on 6 or more attempts.

[@Dewalthasmymoney]

I agree. I think Demar will be a good vet for Keegan as well. Demar was asked about the team "teasing" Keegan and he kind of blew it off. + Demar is known for bonding with the younger dudes as a good example. He specifically said, he takes to heart teaching the young guys. I don't see Demar joining in on the tease. I could see Demar speaking up for Keegan and encouraging him.

[@jamesk1245]

These two have NEVER MET till this weekend. All these hours podcasting. Never. Met.

[@ALLCITY_NBA]

This is true! Legs and Adam will be meeting for the first time this weekend!

[@mvang9]

Kings downfall, aside from defense, is not having a halfcourt player in the playoffs. A post up midrange guy. The game slows down in the playoffs. Great pick up.

[@YouTrippn-uk8bn]

Veteran knowledge above

[@Dewalthasmymoney]

And really, the Kings were a top 10 defense post All-Star break when Keon was inserted into the starting lineup when Huerter became injured. And on the flip-side, Huerter had his worst season of his career, so they really didn't lose offense. What really killed the Kings offensively was when Luka fell on Malik Monk and missed the last 20 games of the season. The refs allowing more physical play benefited the Kings.

[@Warthogg-wv5wg]

Injuries really

[@Weather_Nerd]

Defense is fine as they proved. Fox does fine heck whole team had a top halfcourt offense the prior season but certainly will be nice when Fox and somewhat Monk aren’t the only who can get their own

[@twillhizzle44]

Last year the Kings got a bunch of injuries at the end of the season..

[@MrOctober44]

Yup. People conveniently leave that out. Heurter and Monk were injured at the end of the year. They went 3-5 in April. Two more wins they would have been in the playoffs

[@alexcamp9320]

I’m a simple man; I see Click Legler, I tim

[@ALLCITY_NBA]

love it

[@jaybirdful]

Sacramento vs the world. Keep doubting us 🟣🔦

[@cedricexquisite1999]

No bro

[@vlada]

The cowbells were fun and super effective in playoffs because they were a spontaneous reaction to a Phil Jackson insult. That beam is the most generic marketing gimmick this side of cities putting single ferris wheels next to water like in London. The cowbells was the fans showing out, bringing the energy every home game, making a difference. Hiring a company to turn on a switch after game isn't.

[@bobbybeez858]

My fav podcast just posted Legs gang!!! Mffl

[@Troutstar]

Legs is on point ☝️ LTB 🔥

[@domlozano1990]

Crazy to see how high people are on dallas

[@CurseMonstr]

I'm glad legs made his own pod. Wasn't on JJ Reddicks pod enough for me. Love listening to his insights

[@808bAler]

Professionalism is the perfect word to use when describing what CP3 and Harrison Barnes will bring.

[@YouTrippn-uk8bn]

Kings fan here Yessr HB is old school pro Go about his play and don't throw shade He'll be missed in Sac

[@realflashkid]

Legs is one of the few mainstream media members who I respect in the NBA.

[@YouTrippn-uk8bn]

Something about Legler, when he talks basketball always sounds like he would be a good coach no bs

[@jimmygreer2140]

Ooohh DeRozan to the Kings? Now that moves the needle more than hearing he was going to the Lakers. That's a really damn good fit. Maybe the Kings just had the best new fit for the offseason? Feel like it's either him or Bridges to NY or Klay to Dallas. The Thunder have improved but I gotta see how the new guys fit in first. DeRozan, Bridges & Klay just fit in so nicely. DeRozan won't really mess with what they had going on there, he's just gonna add to it. And they needed a consistent 3rd guy. Bridges has won championships with many of these guys before. And Dallas needed a 3rd guy who can knock down open 3's and Klay is #1 in the league at hitting those "shoot around" wide open shots and Dallas creates the most of those shots....just makes sense.

[@IDontBuyIt50]

not to mention for Klay it will be more spot ups off doubles instead of the constant screen running, maybe getting his 3's closer to 40% again saving his legs.

[@jimmygreer2140]

@IDontBuyIt50 that's what I'm hoping will happen to his defense. Not working as hard on offense allowing him to go harder on defense.

[@jbird_024]

Love seeing some Kings respect for once!!!

[@TheJspan]

It's about damn time

[@andrewlarsen4540]

Two very simple things the Kings can do to be considered contenders: 1. Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter need to return to their three-point percentage of the 22-23 season. 2. Kings as a whole need to not be a bottom team in free throw shooting percentage (just be middle of the pack). If the Kings can do those two simple things, the Kings are a legitimate threat for the title.

[@jcotrone]

Watched a lot of podcasts, many of them I do not trust! I feel the same way as you guys do and I DO trust you both as knowing NBA basketball! Go Kings!

[@Kings4life916]

Well this is different.. national media guys actually speaking positively about my Kings.. pretty shocked by this

[@twillhizzle44]

Sacramento owns Denver

[@chrisyuen2968]

Word

[@tonydavis6487]

Everyone at the top of the West made moves to improve. OKC, Dallas, Minnesota picked up Dillingham. Except Denever, who lost Brown last year and KCP this year. They definitely took a step back.

[@beaumcguire409]

And the Lakers. Sac played great against the top teams in the West. If we can have good health, we have a chance at the chip.

[@JustinQuarles]

Sac had a winning record against most west playoff teams last year. Especially the top 4 seeds

[@codyduggins2123]

We were good against okc too, nola is our kryptonite

[@SEVYNTHEVILLAIN]

8:20 not to be that person but maybe this is some part in why derozan is coming in, the expectations for murray were a little higher but this is what we are with so hopefully it puts a battery in his back moving forward.

[@Sanchezx22]

Dmar to kings is a satisfying fit. sabonis is JUST as reliable as dmar scoring. He Broke the double double record last year. Fox finally gets consistent 20+ points of scoring help. he can put a lot more energy into defense🔥 As Dmar is aging out and his contract is ending Keegan will be entering his true prime.

[@realflashkid]

Who do you double off of in that offense. Dearonn Fox is an All NBA player weather media gives it to him or not, Sabonis is a beast, Keegan and Huerter is LETHAL getting better SHEESH.

[@IsomSeales]

Derozan style of play is gonna make the Kings less predictable and mix up the offense… he demands doubles in spots…his midrange is consistently dangerous.. he gets to the rim.. and clutch in the 4th

[@vlada]

He also is a top 5 player in the league for how much time the ball is in his hands. Fox is also in top 5. Monk needs to have the ball to be effective but he can get that on bench.. Sabonis doesn't need the ball but Sac is better when they run thru him.

[@plsstoptalking]

If Franz never gets that 3 pt shot down then I would agree with you guys but if that thing starts falling then this team will go farther

[@macddezy101]

Great pickup

[@AGHathaway]

Sacramento will get 52 wins

[@cedricexquisite1999]

No

[@RaidersAlLDaY2519]

About time someone who knows basketball and recognize the demar signing to my kings! Good stuff Leg i agrer with you and fox and demar being the 2 best in 4th quarter good luck guarding them lol

[@realflashkid]

Kings were really good against the Top teams in the west last season. Problem was they lost to sorry teams.

[@MorbidlyBullish]

Can JJ please hire Legler for the coaching staff.

[@rutherfordmylerang5278]

Good question for Legs, if he is invited to assist coach Lakers, will he take it?

[@judasescariot3545]

With the upcoming sh*t show that is the Lakers? Nope.

[@WTFandr3w]

For the kings. All the top teams we had a great record against. For whatever reason we always struggled against the teams that sucked 😂

[@15awesomehighfive]

As long as they don't face the Pelicans in the 1st round, the Kings could make a deep-ish playoff run.

[@johnbeaulieu2029]

Tatum was on the last olympic team and was the 2nd leading scorer at 23. Hes going to be a top guy for the USA team this time around

[@blowc1612]

This is the last hoorah for KD, Lebron and Curry on the Olympics, theyll be taking over to win gold. Tatum can leas the next one when we play home court.

[@tompratt7125]

Olympic first game for US v Serbia. Embiid and Joker head to head in a game that really means something. The Serbian team is absolutely huge. I believe they have 5 7 footers on the roster which is ridiculous. That should be a great game.

[@ethanboldtfamily]

Come on fellas. Miles Bridges is not on the Clippers. He resigned in Charlotte for $75M for 3 years.

[@Scarecrow367]

The Kings were down to their 3rd string shooting guard at the end of the Year.

[@GeeElLobo]

Kings need an athletic 3&D wing to complete their roster. That would definitely make them a top 6 team.

[@thekaying]

I'm kindof unimpressed with DeRozan, but then I think back to what I expected the kings offseason to be, thinking they'd loose Monk, what they did actually starts looking kindof impressive

[@youngdour4995]

Alvarado could be an ‘04 Arroyo b…

[@joseyeastwood]

Did he make the Raptor’s or the Bulls contenders,that would be a big no.

[@iW34Rglasses00]

6:08 i know the numbers sabonis ran more dho than anyone by a wide margin.

[@guero8820]

Don’t forget pelicans

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

Saric next to Jokic might be a great signing 😮

[@808bAler]

Caleb Martin is a great replacement to slot into the Tobias Harris spot. Maxey-PG13-Martin-Oubre-Troel would be a great starting five. Great offseason so far by the Sixers. I think they should have kept Reed but oh well.

[@user-ke6ck6jp3e]

Denver got nothing to prove, maybe only thing to prove is to win despite FO

[@kingsfan_Tim]

Late in the season kings lost monk in the Dallas game and Dallas took off while Sac moved back so with the additions of monk huerter Carter and DeRozan over HB and Mitchell shows the kings can easily be better than Dallas.

[@Billandam]

I think Dallas is getting too much respect. Not enough respect for nawlins. And sac going to get that chip!

[@younguglyrob8950]

best podcast out here baby 😮‍💨😤

[@kouthao7581]

What have pg13 and embiid done? Just because money were thrown at players it doesn't mean anything.

[@vlada]

They've shown us who they are in playoffs after playoffs. That's what theyve done

[@TobiasThomKoberKober]

Franz Wagner 🏀🔥🙌

[@esohny]

No chance

[@mytubethis2106]

Dallas is being overrated because they made it to the finals. Dallas reminds me of Miami a couple years ago. They got hot and made a run at the right time. I don't expect them to catch ppl sleeping again

[@LAC32Griffin]

Short answer: yes Long answer: heck yes

[@drippington7967]

DeRozan makes the Kings a B tier contender

[@rutherfordmylerang5278]

Ja pulling out the gun will change your mind 😂

[@Antonio-h7c]

Kingz like 6th or 7th seed

[@taylor7264]

I think Steph is the go to guy. Tatum is his number 2 for this run

[@taylor7264]

Bron n Steph the leaders. KD is the third that co-signs the leader. But Steph is the go to guy on the court. He’s by still by far the best shooter in the world. N tatum is the young horse he depends on most. Tatum will hustle on both ends, make great plays -read n reacting n bc of his size n length he’ll be the beneficiary of the most easy buckets. Bron will be like a smarter tatum but he’s not just as athletic n dynamic anymore. But I think steph,Tatum,bron lead the team in scoring given that KD is a lil hobbled. Joel n ant next bc Joel is just a force n ant will be their highest usage guy off the bench. That’s my prediction

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

Team USA have a few ageing egos might get in the way in close games…Lebron won’t get the whistle he does in the NBA and might end up looking his age - especially against France! Curry might need to bail them out from 3 😮

[@gabrieljohnson4213]

The Grizzlies were the #2 seed with Morant

[@mctaguer]

No, and they're not trying to be a contender. They're trying to be a decent team that could make the playoffs outright, and if they're lucky get to the 2nd round. Enough to keep fans interested and going to games. And that seems very possible here. It's Sacramento, not Boston.

[@christianguzaitis4353]

they realistically aren't a contender, but as a fan I'd be okay with what you describe at least for the time being. I also think the team has a high ceiling and could make a run to the conference finals or even the finals if everything goes perfectly. The fanbase would be ecstatic with that, even if they don't win a ring.

[@mctaguer]

@@christianguzaitis4353 Possibly, and that would be great for them. I guess my point was we sometimes talk about them like they have the same kind of resources, aspirations, fanbase etc as teams like the Celtics and Lakers--and we "grade" what they do the same way. I mean, for sure, they don't want to be like Charlotte either, but if they fielded a team this good routinely, and as as you said every few years had a decent shot at a Conference Finals or such, fans would consistently get behind that and we could call their management successful.

[@offthespot1492]

24:20 Jonathan Kuminga

[@MrOctober44]

Lol. Okay

[@sebastianmateo8247]

Their three best players are not three point threats, thats tough. Ill give them a 6-8 seed at best

[@reptilexcq2]

I was shock to see Wagner getting MAX. His statistics does not back it up. He's more like an above average player with potential. I think Orlando is screwed.

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

It’s a market…it’s not whether they don’t pay him a max, it’s a question of whether others will if they don’t…and the answer is yes

[@reptilexcq2]

@@DunningKrugerJnr Nah, that kind of money belongs to the elite talents, not Wagner. He's not in that stratosphere. You're tying the Orlando's financial future because it means less flexibility moving forward. I also don't think any team has the money to pay him max. Most teams just don't have the money anymore.

[@mrahim83]

💯 they so screwed 🤣

[@skatedurr]

Canada winning gold EZ

[@fds371]

💀

[@jaysmith4357]

What the hell has OKC done to warrant these type of predictions as being the clear best in the West?😂 How disrespectful to the Western Conference Champs! I get it the got better with their in free agency but you know who else did?? Ummm how about the team that beat them rather convincingly the Mavs! The Mavs had every disadvantage imaginable in that series but inexperience and outside of LuKai they didn’t have much of that! Dallas is the best team in the West period! The team that was just in the finals got better! Plus I notice how when you name the top 3 in the West you always name the Mavs last😂 Atleast you can say OKC/Dallas is debatable but their is absolutely nothing you can say that makes a case for the Wolves being better than the Mavs. Keep doubting Luka and the Mavs tho, they thrive off of this its always been like this even going back to us winning a championship the narrative was that Lebron choked lol. Nobody believed in us then,they didn’t believe we would beat the Suns yet we did,and they picked every team we played against in this recent finals run. Well except Legs ill give you that😅 Oh and you all forgot all about the Grizzlies🤣🤣🤣

[@JJS1985]

You whine like LuKaren.

[@colesmith193]

Legs has been one of the biggest Dallas supporters, he picked them to win the west this past year. Stfu with your whining, I swear every Dallas fan takes after Luka these days.

[@blowc1612]

The West is up for grabs since 2020. No one clear team running the West not wven top 2-4 teams running the West like how the East is Celtics Bucks Heat. Nothing about the West that it goes through Dallas.

[@jaysmith4357]

@@colesmith193You stfu goofy! I aknowledged that he picked us late last season and throughout the playoffs. That doesn’t mean he’s not absolutely wrong this time and that OKC nor Minnesota has a case to be over us rn. As far as wining nobody did that more than Clippers,Suns,Thunder,and Wolves fans over what Luka has done to them these past few years😂

[@MrOctober44]

I'm going go out on a limb and say because they had a 57 win season. They have one of the youngest teams in the league, they added one of best defensive players in the league with Caruso, they also improved their biggest weakness with rebounding by signing Hartenstein. It wasn't like Dallas swept them. It took Dallas six games to beat a team with almost no playoff experience

[@DanielTaylor-tz1rf]

Dallas is not like that. They overachieved and will be exposed this season.

[@GeeElLobo]

Kings need an athletic 3&D wing to complete their roster. That would definitely make them a top 6 team.