DeMar DeRozan is embracing the final years of his NBA career with the Sacramento Kings, playing every game with focus and joy despite a challenging 2025-26 season. The six-time All-Star reflected on cherishing each moment on the court, staying committed to his work ethic, and chasing historic scoring milestones as he nears retirement.
DeMar DeRozan continues to show why he is considered one of the NBA's true professionals, playing every game this season for the Sacramento Kings as if it were the first. Despite a challenging 2025-26 campaign, DeRozan's work ethic and positive attitude remain unwavering.
Sacramento Kings / Schedule
At 36 years old and heading toward 37 in August, many veterans might ease up or sit out to preserve their bodies, but DeRozan is different.
"Yeah, I mean everybody got to find their own joy, whatever way that is. For me, you know, you can't take these moments for granted," he told reporters via SacTown Sports 1140. "Just being able to play the game of basketball. You know, me 17 years in, you never know when your last game going to be. So for me, just being able to have the ability, the opportunity to still go out there and play, you know, for me, that's what keeps me going, keeps my joy there because you just never know."
"I'm closer to the end than anything. For me, I just want to enjoy every single moment that I have to play basketball," he explained.
DeRozan has embraced this stage of his career, playing in all 63 of the Kings' games so far and averaging 18.2 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor.
Recently, he passed Paul Pierce to move into No. 23 on the NBA's all-time scoring list and will temporarily overtake Stephen Curry for No. 22 in his next game while Curry is sidelined with an injury.
By the season's end, he could surpass George Gervin and move into the top 20 of NBA scoring history.
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