DeMar DeRozan posts 14/1/5/1/2 line vs. Lakers

Johnson injured his right ankle during the first half of Thursday’s season opener and did not start the third quarter. Alpha Diallo started the period in Johnson’s place. If Johnson doesn’t return, Diallo and DeMar DeRozan stand to gain the most in playing time.

Strawther was injured in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game when he fell awkwardly, landing with his left leg beneath him after being trapped by two Clippers defenders. Following the game, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said that Strawther will undergo an MRI on Thursday. If he misses time, the Nuggets will rely even more on DeMar DeRozan (who did not play on Wednesday) off the bench.

DeRozan was waived by the Kings in early July, and he has now found a new home for his 18th NBA season. He spent the last two in Sacramento and will remain in the West, though on a more competitive team. DeRozan will have a chance to start, but it is more likely that he is used in a reserve capacity. DeRozan has only come off the bench 12 times in his career, all during his rookie season. He’ll likely take another hit in production due to a minutes decrease next season.

DeRozan’s time with the Kings ended earlier this summer, and there has been speculation about his next stop. Miami, Denver, Cleveland and Washington have reportedly expressed interest in the veteran wing, and there were also reports that Portland was involved. However, according to Stein, the Trail Blazers have not pursued the possibility of signing DeRozan. Given the team’s surplus of perimeter players, it is unsurprising that Portland would not be in the mix for the 36-year-old.

In the aftermath of his exit from Sacramento, DeRozan was considered to be a player likely headed to a team with postseason ambitions. Miami, Cleveland and Denver have all expressed interest since the veteran wing hit free agency, and now Washington has reportedly worked its way into the mix. Given the number of young wings on the Wizards’ roster, adding DeRozan would create even more of a logjam, potentially limiting the short-term fantasy potential of a Kyshawn George or Will Riley.

Unsurprisingly, the six-time All Star will enter free agency as Sacramento looks to the future with a rebuild centered around young talent like Darius Acuff Jr. and Nique Clifford. DeRozan is now free to sign with the team of his choosing. Teams to keep an eye on include the Warriors, Heat, Lakers and Raptors. He could also team up with LeBron James, depending on where James ultimately decides to sign.

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time that the Kings want to kick-start their rebuild by moving on from a few veteran players. With Zach LaVine opting into the final year of a deal that will pay him over $49 million, it will be easier financially for Sacramento to move on from DeRozan, either via trade or the waive-and-stretch provision. According to Iko’s report, DeRozan expects the latter to happen. Only $10 million of his 2026-27 contract is guaranteed, so spreading that money over three years would not significantly damage the Kings’ finances. DeRozan turns 37 next month, but in the right situation he can still provide solid middle-round value in standard fantasy leagues.

The three veterans won’t be available for Sunday’s season finale. The absences of DeRozan, Westbrook and Monk have benefited Devin Carter, Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden. That will remain the case on Sunday, with Carter coming off a 29-point effort in Friday’s win over the Warriors.

DeRozan has been ruled out after he was initially listed as questionable with a sore right hamstring. Daeqwon Plowden started the last time DeRozan missed a game and could move into the starting lineup again with the 36-year-old shooting guard sidelined.

DeRozan missed a game with the same hamstring issue about a week before this, and there is a chance he misses another. Daeqwon Plowden started that game in his stead and would likely occupy that role again if DeRozan is unavailable.