The Kings intend to waive veteran forward DeMar DeRozan and stretch his salary over the next three years if they can’t work out a trade, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

DeRozan’s expiring contract carries a $25.74MM salary for next season that is only guaranteed for $10MM through January 10, so the move would come at minimal cost to the team’s future. The Clippers are expected to have interest in signing DeRozan if he becomes available, Scotto adds.

Coming off a 22-60 season and projected to be over the first apron, Sacramento is looking for ways to reduce costs. They’ll likely explore trade options involving Zach LaVine, who’s expected to pick up his $49MM player option for next season, and have talked to the Hornets about a Domantas Sabonis deal.

DeRozan will turn 37 in August, but he remains a productive and durable player and one of the league’s best crunch-time scorers. He appeared in 77 games this season, averaging 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 31.2 minutes per night. He has spent the past two seasons with the Kings after being acquired from Chicago in a three-team trade in the summer of 2024.