Overview
- Multiple reports on July 2 say DeRozan is pressing the Kings to speed his departure so he can land elsewhere before the free-agent market tightens.
- The Kings have been prepared to move or waive DeRozan rather than keep him long term as they reshape a non-contending roster.
- Only $10 million of DeRozan’s $25.7 million salary for 2026-27 is guaranteed, which makes a waive-and-stretch a practical fallback for Sacramento.
- A waiving-and-stretch would spread that $10 million guarantee roughly over three seasons, cutting the immediate cap hit but leaving a delayed charge on the books and freeing short-term room.
- How quickly the Kings act matters for DeRozan’s next deal because an earlier waive-and-stretch would let him reach the open market while some playoff teams still have spending flexibility and could offer better short-term opportunities.