Sacramento has added a six-time all-star to its roster in DeMar DeRozan. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Kings have acquired DeRozan via a sign and trade with the Bulls.
The Sacramento Kings are agreed on a sign-and-trade that will land DeMar DeRozan on a three-year deal, send Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash to the Chicago Bulls.
The Kings don’t have the right offense for DeMar DeRozan
The Sacramento Kings’ decision to sign DeMar DeRozan is baffling as they are not running an offensive system that caters to his strengths. DeRozan has spent 38.1% of his offensive possessions as a pick-and-roll ball handler since the 2015-16 season, averaging 8.7 per game. The play type is responsible for 36.9% of his scoring output, averaging 8.7 points, shooting 48.7% on 6.7 attempts.
Unfortunately, for DeMar DeRozan, the team has ranked 27th in pick-and-roll possessions over the last two seasons, averaging 15.1 per game. DeMar DeRozan is likely to spend a significant amount of possessions off the ball as the Kings run a ball-movement offense.
Over the last 2 seasons, the team has ranked top 5 in passes per game averaging 302.4. The Kings have routinely used Domantas Sabonis as a conduit to spark their ball movement.
Kings vs Nets
For example, Sabonis had the ball near his right elbow early in the first quarter of a road game against the Nets. He passed the ball to Keegan Murray, who was standing in the right corner. Murray tried to attack the basket but was double-teamed by Dennis Schröder and Noah Clowney.
Consequently, he passed the ball to De’Aaron Fox, who cut to the basket from the top of the key. Fox immediately passed the ball to Harrison Barnes, cutting from the right wing. Barnes ended the possession with a dunk.
The ball movement off has led wings to take a significant amount of their shots from behind the arc. Fox and Kevin Huerter have taken over 35.2% of their shots from the three-point line, averaging a minimum of 6.1 attempts per game in the past two seasons.
DeMar DeRozan is a career 29.6% from behind the arc on 1.6 attempts per game. DeRozan is a below-average shooter, as the league average three-point percentage since 2010 has been 35.8% on 17.4 attempts.
What if they change the offense for DeRozan
If the Kings decide to cater to DeRozan’s strengths and run a pick-and-roll-based offense, there will still be issues. The Kings were fifth in pick-and-roll possessions during the 2021-22 season, averaging 22 per game.
When Sacramento executed the play type, they strategically positioned three-floor spacers around the ball handler and roll man, showcasing their tactical approach.
On November 10th, 2021, Barnes and Fox and Justin Holiday surrounded Buddy Hield and Alex Len during a pick-and-roll possession. Buddy went over the screen and drove to the basket for a layup.
The Kings’ pick-and-roll setup will create issues for DeRozan due to spacing problems. The team will have at most 2 above-average shooters in the starting lineup, with DeRozan in Kevin Huerter and Murray.
Therefore, opposing teams can put three players underneath the arc. Consequently, opponents will have an easier time taking away his favorite shot. He has led the league in mid shot attempts over the last 3 seasons averaging 8.6 per game.
DeMar is making 45.8% of those attempts. No matter how you look at the situation, DeRozan’s upcoming tenure in Sacramento is unlikely to generate positive results.
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