Overview
- DeRozan said preseason lists are disrespecting Sacramento and urged teammates to take the slight personally, using it as motivation.
- ESPN’s rankings placed DeRozan at No. 80, Zach LaVine at No. 72 and Domantas Sabonis at No. 34, reinforcing external skepticism.
- Sabonis and Keegan Murray are set to miss the season’s start due to injuries, stressing the Kings’ frontcourt and rotation options.
- With Sabonis out, reporting suggests Drew Eubanks or Dario Saric could open as the starting center.
- Analysts question the fit, defense, spacing and touch distribution on a roster featuring Russell Westbrook, Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder and LaVine, even as DeRozan praises Westbrook as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and coach Doug Christie weighs early lineup decisions.