DeMar

DeRozan

Sacramento had a field day offensively, especially its top three scorers. DeRozan, Precious Achiuwa and Maxime Raynaud shot a combined 32-of-40 from the field, scoring 75 points. DeRozan led the way with his 27-point effort, and fantasy managers also received solid value in the assist category. As long as the Kings continue to play him starters’ minutes, the veteran wing will be a valuable option, especially in points leagues. The Kings play three games in Week 21, starting with the Spurs on Tuesday.

DeRozan put on a show against the Hornets, even if it occurred in a defeat. He scored 24 points in the first half, passing Tim Duncan to move into 18th on the NBA’s career points list in the process. DeRozan finished with 39 points and played 41 of a possible 48 minutes. Wednesday’s defeat officially eliminated the Kings from postseason contention, so the 40-minute nights may not happen for DeRozan moving forward.

DeRozan did not play in Sunday’s win over the Bulls, with Daeqwon Plowden replacing him in the lineup. While Plowden will remain in the rotation, his short-term fantasy value takes a hit with DeRozan available.

Absent from the initial injury report, DeRozan will sit out Sunday’s game. His absence should free up minutes for Nique Clifford, who’s already in the starting lineup, Daeqwon Plowden and Devin Carter.

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.