DeMar DeRozan’s arrival to Sacramento comes with an amazing full-circle moment for the Kings' new veteran guard/forward.
Headed into his 16th NBA season, the 34-year-old not only has been a consistent offensive force throughout his career but has shared the hardwood floor with many players, including Anthony Carter, father to the Kings’ first-round 2024 NBA Draft pick Devin Carter.
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On Saturday, Carter, who reportedly will undergo shoulder surgery and is likely to miss a part of the 2024-25 NBA season, shared a short response to the news involving his father and new teammate.
A Compton, California, native, DeRozan was selected out of USC by the Toronto Raptors with the No. 9 pick of the 2009 NBA Draft.
In Toronto, during the 2011-12 season, DeRozan and Anthony were teammates. It was Anthony’s final season as a professional, featuring in just 27 games and averaging 8.7 minutes per game.
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DeRozan, on the other hand, was in his third season, ascending into the bucket-getting style that has earned him six NBA All-Star selections.
Under the coaching of Dwane Casey, the Raptors would finish 23-43 in the famous NBA lockout season. DeRozan featured in 63 of the 66 games played and averaged 16.7 points.
Now in Sacramento after finalizing a sign-and-trade deal between the Kings, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, DeRozan will have to wait to take the floor with Carter.
But once it happens, it’s likely the full-circle moment will really set in for the newest King.