Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan
The Sacramento Kings aren’t winning many games this season, and that is quite alright. They just made a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, sending Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder away in exchange for De’Andre Hunter.
They will likely be making more moves, trying to set themselves up for the cleanest possible start next season with new talent and guys around. In their latest loss to the Washington Wizards, their ninth in a row, two players shined brighter than the rest.
The game was a bit close, a 116-112 defeat, but if it’s a trade-happy team, than the individual performances here are absolutely worth writing home about.
Sacramento got 67 combined points from their veteran wings Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, each struggling to put up consistent numbers this season.
A night like this is critical for any possible trade value to be displayed so close to the deadline.
More on their nights in the upcoming sections. LaVine and DeRozan both did their thing.
Big Nights from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine
Russell Westbrook was out with an injury, while Dennis Schroder was just traded. The point guard spot was open, so Zach LaVine slotted in next to Nique Clifford for this contest. He had one of his best games of the season, and it came at a great time.
LaVine poured in 35 points on 13-26 from the floor, finally unleashing shots from all over without hesitation. He grabbed six rebounds, and dished out three assists. This is the aggressive guy they had brought over from Chicago last year.
18 of those 35 came in the second quarter.
As for his running mate DeMar DeRozan, he hit the 30-point plateau for the second time in the past four games. On an extremely efficient night, the veteran forward poured in 32 points in 10-16 from the floor and 11-12 from the charity stripe.
The veteran, who also teamed with LaVine in Chicago for a few years, was getting it to go like many know him to be capable of doing. It’s unclear what his future holds exactly, but if there is a team that wants him, nights like this prove why he is a viable candidate.
LaVine is someone they’ve had a hard time moving. A player that can get red hot at times, he can also go cold and stunt possessions.
Each of these guys can improve another team’s offense. They just need the chance.
Will either of them be dealt, though? It remains to be seen. Their value is at its lowest while staying in Sacramento, though. That much is true.
LaVine and DeRozan Proving They Still Got It
The Alex Sarr-less Wizards certainly did not impress all that much today, though they managed to get past the Kings in a 116-112 victory. No one player scored more than 18, a balanced attack leading the way for the short-handed young guns.
What did matter from this game is that Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan proved they can still hoop at a high level. Dylan Cardwell, newly converted to a standard contract got some big minutes. They got some run for Devin Carter.
At this point, it may be more about the draft pick in Sacramento. De’Andre Hunter will be making his team debut in a couple of days, as he tries to find a fit with his new squad.
The deadline is just five days away, though. We’ll see who Hunter suits up with as they try to protect guys from injuries.
Whatever the case, LaVine and DeRozan have been doing what they can to promote what they can offer. We’ll see if there are any takers.