DeMar DeRozan Reflects on Kings’ Disappointing Season: “No Regrets” Despite Play-In Exit

NBA Trade Rumors: DeMar DeRozan Reflects on Kings’ Disappointing Season: “No Regrets” Despite Play-In Exit

DeMar DeRozan’s first season with the Sacramento Kings didn’t go as planned, but the veteran forward isn’t second-guessing his decision.

Following the Kings' 120–106 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament—marking the end of their season—DeRozan kept things in perspective:

“I don’t regret anything,” he told reporters Thursday. “I don’t think you can live life with regrets.”

That’s a mature response, but the reality in Sacramento is a little messier.

A Lateral Move That Didn't Pay Off (Yet)

DeRozan left a middling Chicago Bulls squad that failed to get past the Play-In in consecutive seasons, only to land on a Kings team that suffered the exact same fate.

He signed a three-year, $74 million deal with Sacramento this past offseason via a three-team sign-and-trade involving the Bulls and Spurs.

• The Spurs received Harrison Barnes.

• The Bulls got Chris Duarte and multiple second-round picks.

But the Kings didn’t stop there. They went all-in midseason by swinging a blockbuster:

• Zach LaVine arrived in Sacramento.

• De’Aaron Fox was shipped to the Spurs.

• Sacramento also netted three first-round picks (two unprotected) and three second-rounders in the Fox deal.

The moves gave the Kings a splashy roster—but not a better one.

Post-Trade Struggles & Organizational Chaos

Since acquiring LaVine, the Kings posted a 16–19 record, finishing 40–42 on the season.
That mediocrity spelled the end for GM Monte McNair, who mutually parted ways with the franchise this week. It followed the December firing of head coach Mike Brown, capping a chaotic season marked by inconsistent play, locker room questions, and leadership turnover.

DeRozan, for his part, still put up strong numbers:

• 22.2 PPG, steady midrange efficiency, and veteran presence.

But he hinted that the instability surrounding the franchise affected the team’s ability to succeed:

“Just the structure and a foundation of a compete level. I think all year we had such an uncertainty of everything—you can’t really operate in any successful environment if you have so much uncertainty.”

What’s Next for DeRozan & the Kings?

DeRozan has two more years on his deal, but Sacramento will need to decide:

• Are they actually building around LaVine and DeRozan?

• Or was this just a short-term pivot that now requires another course correction?

With a new front office coming in and plenty of draft assets at their disposal, Sacramento could either double down on this veteran core or pivot (again) and lean into a rebuild.

As for DeRozan? He seems open to staying—but only if there’s a clear plan:

“You can’t really operate in any successful environment if you have so much uncertainty.”

Want a mock trade idea if the Kings decide to move on from LaVine or DeRozan this offseason?