DeMar

DeRozan

DeRozan’s output was limited on Thursday, and that’s been the case since the All-Star break. In eight games, the veteran wing has averaged 14.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.8 steals while shooting 43 percent from the field. DeRozan played 27 minutes against the Pelicans, and his playing time is something to watch moving forward. Fellow starter Nique Clifford (7/5/3 with one three-pointer) only played 21 minutes against New Orleans, and for the Kings’ future, it would probably be best if Clifford were asked to log heavy minutes the rest of the way.

DeRozan, who led the Kings with seven assists, played 24 minutes on Wednesday. Given where the Kings’ season is, with the team now a league-worst 13-47, the younger players should be the team’s priority for the rest of the season. DeRozan did play 35 minutes in the Kings’ February 21 loss to the Spurs, but it would be unsurprising if his minutes were kept in the mid-20s more consistently.

After scoring 15 points in his first game back from a sprained ankle on Thursday, Murray put up 20 as part of a complete stat line on Saturday. Also of note for the Kings forward was that he played a team-high 36 minutes. While DeMar DeRozan (20/1/5/2/1 in 35 minutes) and Russell Westbrook (7/3/2/1/1 with one three-pointer in 21 minutes) don’t appear to be part of the Kings’ long-term plans, Murray should be the priority over the final two months of the regular season. If the Kings take that approach, it should bode well for fantasy managers who have him rostered.

DeRozan entered Wednesday’s game having shot 8-of-30 from the field in his prior three games. He didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but the veteran wing was better than he’d been. Despite the game being a blowout, DeRozan played 29 minutes, but it’s fair to question what his playing time will look like after the All-Star break. The Kings play two games after the break to conclude Week 17, starting with the Magic on February 19.

Westbrook appeared to roll his left ankle on a drive to the basket during the third quarter, and he would check out for good with just under six minutes remaining in the period. The veteran point guard logged 21 minutes, while DeMar DeRozan (eight points, one rebound and one assist) was limited to 20. Both played starter’s minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Cavaliers, so this may have been more about Monday’s game being a blowout than anything else. However, fantasy managers need to prepare for the likelihood that Nique Clifford and Devin Carter will play more after the break than Westbrook and DeRozan.

DeRozan’s name has been mentioned in recent rumors as a player the Kings may look to move ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. Sunday’s performance was a nice audition for the veteran wing, who rebounded nicely from a poor showing in Friday’s blowout loss to the Celtics. And if DeRozan remains in Sacramento past the deadline, how much will he play, especially with the Kings needing to get Nique Clifford (6/3/4/2) more opportunities and adding De’Andre Hunter to the mix via Saturday’s trade with the Cavaliers and Bulls? The Kings play three games in Week 16.

After scoring 34 points against the Knicks on Tuesday, DeRozan was able to stay hot for the first half of this game. He scored 21 points before the break, but he didn’t do much scoring over the final two quarters. He has been efficient lately, having shot at least 50 percent from the floor in four straight games. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to turn this into a big night, and the Kings lost a seventh straight game. He’ll look to stay hot in Boston on Friday.

Westbrook tweaked his foot in the final minutes of Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks. He was able to finish the game but was limping around on the court. With Westbrook out of the lineup, Dennis Schröder will likely start in his place with Keon Ellis playing more minutes as well, but DeMar DeRozan should see the biggest uptick in usage.

DeRozan had scored more than 20 points just once in his last six games entering play Tuesday. The 36-year-old shooting guard once again showed he has no trouble putting up points against the Knicks. DeRozan dropped 27 points in a win over the Knicks on January 14 and had 34 in the loss against the Knicks on Tuesday. The Kings road trip continues Thursday against the 76ers.

DeRozan’s uptick in fantasy value lately continues. The 36-year-old small forward dropped 23 points in the loss to the Heat on Tuesday. DeRozan has been a second-round player in per game value over the last two weeks. We’ll see if he can keep it going against his former team the Raptors on the second night of a back-to-back Wednesday.