The recent offseason move saw DeMar DeRozan leave the Chicago Bulls. The star guard decided to join forces with the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference. With his confidence super high ahead of the new season, he has set high expectations for his new team. The team will look to make a huge comeback after missing out on the playoffs last season.ย
DeMar DeRozan recently came on ESPNโs First Take to promote his book. At the time, he was asked to make a bold prediction for the upcoming season. The guard didnโt hesitate to put giant expectations on his new team. As such, DeMar DeRozan predicted that the Sacramento Kings would make a deep playoff run this season.
My boldest NBA take for the season. Kings, Western Conference Finals.
DeMar DeRozan said on ESPNโs First Take
Without a doubt, his addition to the roster will boost the team. His impressive scoring prowess of averaging over 20 points per game for 11 straight seasons in his career will excite the fans. Fans are excited to see how he, DeโAaron Fox and versatile big man Domantas Sabonis can play together.ย As a veteran, he could guide Keegan Murray, who has great potential as well.
If the trio clicks, the Kings will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with. However, they face an uphill task as the Western Conference is stacked with well-established championship contenders. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors have an eye on the championship. As such, it is a daunting task for DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings.
DeMar DeRozan believes he could have led Raptors to 2019 NBA championship
Before switching teams, DeMar DeRozan began his career with the Toronto Raptors. He led them to five postseason appearances in the nine seasons he spent with the franchise. However, his time with the team wasnโt as successful as planned as he failed to guide them to an NBA Final.
The reason for that, he made known on an episode of ESPNโs First Take, was because of a certain LeBron James who was shining at the Cleveland Cavaliers. DeRozan was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard did what he couldnโt do, and he believed that the Raptors winning had nothing to do with The Klaw joining. However, he attributed it to their nemesis, LBJ, leaving the East. ย
The only person we couldnโt beat was LeBron. Thatโs just what it was. And I felt off the year we had before, we just needed one more piece to push us over the top. And that piece came to be LeBron going to the West.
DeMar DeRozan on ESPNโs First Take
DeMar DeRozan believes he would have won a championship with the Raptors if the Kawhi Leonard trade never happened:
“I have no doubt in my mind the same outcome would have happened.”
[via @FirstTake ] pic.twitter.com/iRxW2OvdVc
โ BASKETBALL ON ๐ (@BASKETBALLonX) September 11, 2024
DeRozanโs comments, which he has mentioned before now, have sparked controversy as most fans believe that Leonard played a pivotal role in securing the Raptorsโ first-ever NBA title. Except the new Kings star, as he stood by his comments that it was because King James, their tormentor, left the Eastern Conference to battle it out at the Lakers.
