NBA: DeMar DeRozan waived by Kings, now a free agent

Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

LOS ANGELES–Six-time NBA All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan, a 17-season veteran, was waived by the Sacramento Kings on Monday after two campaigns with the club.

“Thank you for every bucket, every big moment, and every time you represented Sacramento. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter,” the Kings posted on X in announcing the move.

READ: NBA: DeMar DeRozan reaches 26K career points in Kings’ win 

Starting at least 74 games in each of the past five seasons and 77 apiece in his two years with the Kings, DeRozan became a casualty of a rebuilding franchise creating financial flexibility.

Now he’s one of the top free agents on the market.

DeRozan has averaged 21.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 blocked shots in 1,264 games with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and the Kings.

The 36-year-old American, who helped the United States to Olympic gold at Rio in 2016 and the 2014 Basketball World Cup crown, averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shots a game last season.

DeRozan’s teams, however, have missed the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons, including both of his campaigns with Sacramento.

DeRozan ranks fifth among all active NBA players in scoring and 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,711 points.