DeMar DeRozan questions future if De’Aaron Fox gets traded

Jan 31, 2025 1:14 PM

Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan, a seasoned NBA veteran with extensive experience navigating the league’s ever-changing dynamics, is no stranger to seeing players move in and out of rosters.

He knows firsthand how the departure of a key star can affect the entire team’s chemistry and future direction.

During a recent appearance on Run It Back, former NBA player Lou Williams posed a pointed question to DeRozan about whether the potential trade of De’Aaron Fox – Sacramento’s cornerstone guard – would influence DeRozan’s own plans with the team.

The veteran forward didn’t hesitate to speak openly, acknowledging the weight such a move would carry.

“Yeah, it’s tough because looking at the landscape, before I came here, those are the guys I talked to – Fox, (Domantas Sabonis), and Malik (Monk),” DeRozan shared.

“Those are the core guys that made it easy for me to make my decision to play here. And a key player, a key juggernaut in Fox, not knowing the future of that, it does make it tough.”

DeRozan’s connection to the Kings was forged when he joined the franchise this past offseason through a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls.

His contract spans two more seasons, totaling $50.5 million, though the final year in 2026-27 carries only a partial guarantee of $10 million.

Fox’s possible departure raises questions not only about Sacramento’s immediate ambitions but also about DeRozan’s role in the team’s future.

For a player of his stature, who carefully weighed his options before committing, the stability offered by having a reliable core group – particularly Fox, Sabonis, and Monk – was central to his decision.

The uncertainty now swirling around Fox’s status complicates the picture for DeRozan and potentially reshapes his perspective on remaining with the Kings long-term.

DeRozan has played 16 seasons for 4 teams, including the Raptors and Bulls. He has averaged 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 1,152 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 6 All-Star games.