NBA Rumors: DeMar DeRozan to Wear No. 10 Kings Jersey After Bulls Sign-and-Trade

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVJuly 7, 2024

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

DeMar DeRozan is reportedly going back to his original NBA jersey number once he officially joins the Sacramento Kings.

According to Mark Haynes of the Sacramento Observer, DeRozan will wear No. 10 with the Kings, which is the same number he wore during stints with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.

DeRozan switched to No. 11 during his three-year tenure with the Chicago Bulls since the Bulls retired No. 10 in honor of Bob Love.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps reported Saturday that the Kings had acquired DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls and signed him to a three-year, $74 million contract.

As part of the three-team trade, the Kings sent Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the Spurs, and Chris Duarte, two second-round draft picks and cash to the Bulls.

The trade brings the 34-year-old DeRozan closer to home than he had ever previously been during his NBA career, as he was born in Compton, California.

DeRozan was undoubtedly among the most accomplished players to hit free agency this offseason, as he is a six-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection and a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection.

In 1,110 career NBA games across 15 seasons, DeRozan boasts averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Despite entering his mid-30s, DeRozan remained highly productive last season, averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

With the Kings, DeRozan joins a strong roster headlined by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, both of whom were All-Stars in 2022-23.

The Kings were also able to retain Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray despite acquiring DeRozan, which gives them one of the deepest teams in the league.

Sacramento missed the playoffs last season with a 46-36 record since it fell in the postseason play-in tournament, but it now has a roster capable of not only reaching the playoffs, but going on a deep run as well.