There are studies across the Sacramento Kings have expressed curiosity in buying Celtics guard Jrue Vacation.
James Ham, who covers the Kings for TheKingsBeat.com, stated that Sacramento does have curiosity within the now 35-year-old guard.
“The Kings checked in on (Vacation) and wished to see what the worth is price and every part like that. From my understanding Boston has higher affords than what the Kings are providing.”
Let’s reside in a world the place the Celtics and Kings do agree on a Jrue Vacation commerce and the return is DeMar DeRozan. If the Celtics actually do have higher affords than that, perhaps the Kings throw within the 2027 Spurs first spherical choose or a number of 2nd rounders.
A Vacation for DeRozan one for one swap works whether it is accomplished by July 1st. If not, the Kings would wish so as to add one other participant as a result of the deal can be $150,000 from working for the 2025-26 season. Because of this, if there’s going to be a deal, it ought to happen quickly.
This deal would get the Celtics to $13.3 million over the 2nd apron, which they should get beneath, as I mentioned in my Sam Hauser story from final week.
DeRozan’s slot in Boston is one thing that may be enjoyable to see the way it performs out.
DeRozan is a 6-time All-Star and a 3-time All-NBA participant. He can flat out rating the ball, as he has scored a minimum of 20 factors per recreation in each season for the reason that 2013-14 marketing campaign.
Boston goes to want somebody to assist fill the scoring void that’s being left by Jayson Tatum subsequent season. Nonetheless, DeRozan simply doesn’t match the Mazzulla Ball system.
Of all of DeRozan’s pictures a season in the past, 80.4% of them got here from contained in the 2-point arc. DeRozan took 8.3 mid vary pictures per recreation in his first season as a King. That’s 5.4 greater than Jayson Tatum, who lead the Celtics with 2.9 mid vary pictures per recreation in the course of the 2024-25 season.
There isn’t any manner that DeRozan would get his mid-range pictures to beneath 3 per recreation. Through the 2020-21 season, his final as a Spur, DeRozan took 5.9 mid-range pictures per recreation. That was the final season he didn’t lead the NBA in mid-range shot makes an attempt per recreation.
DeRozan’s protection isn’t nice however that’s to be anticipated from a man who might be 36 on opening evening. He tends to get beat on drives to the cup however isn’t a horrible defensive participant who prices the crew on that finish constantly.
DeRozan shouldn’t be a nasty passer both. His 4.4 assists per recreation and 18.7% help price had been down from his time with the Bulls, the place he averaged 5.1 assists per recreation and had an help price of twenty-two.4%. Help price is the estimated share of baskets the participant assisted on after they had been on the court docket.
DeRozan can also be one of many clutchest gamers within the NBA. He did not have an ideal clutch season this previous 12 months, capturing 44% from the sector and 20% from three in clutch video games. That are outlined by the NBA as video games with 5 factors with beneath 5 minutes to go within the recreation. Nonetheless, for he completed third in Clutch Participant of the 12 months voting in the course of the 2022-23 season and 2nd for the 2023-24 season when he was with the Bulls.
He has an elite clutch gene.
How would DeRozan slot in Boston?
Jayson Tatum goes to overlook a good portion of subsequent season along with his achilles tear (I hate being reminded of this truth), if not all of it. Boston goes to want guys to attain the ball subsequent season. Anticipating that he’s again, Jaylen Brown might be a type of guys and an elevated function from Payton Pritchard will even assist. Nonetheless, DeRozan is a bucket, who’s elite at attending to his spots and hitting bounce pictures. That’s one thing that the Celtics will want subsequent season.
DeRozan’s contract can also be one thing that Boston ought to have curiosity in. Simply $10 million of the $25 million DeRozan is scheduled to make in the course of the 2026-27 season is assured. If the Celtics wish to transfer off of DeRozan after the season, they will waive and stretch him at simply over $3 million for 3 seasons. If he makes the All-Star crew subsequent season that may enhance to $12 million but when he’s an All-Star the Celtics probably would not waive him.
So, does it make sense for the Celtics to commerce Vacation for DeRozan?
I do not assume it will be a nasty commerce for the Celtics however ought to the Celtics prioritize DeRozan in a Vacation commerce? No, they need to not. DeRozan is a superb participant, who can be enjoyable to look at play for the Celtics. Nonetheless, he’s going to be 36 in August and wouldn’t be a long run piece for the Celtics.
If Boston can get one thing they will maintain long run in a Vacation commerce they need to do this as a substitute of buying and selling for DeRozan as a result of subsequent season is more likely to be a wash anyhow.
