Miami Heat & Sacramento Kings Lining Up For Big Trade This Summer

The arrival of DeMar DeRozan with the Sacramento Kings in free agency last summer didn't quite pan out as both parties had hoped. The Kings struggled in 2024-25, were forced to trade away their All-Star point guard De'Aaron Fox, and wound up missing the playoffs (losing in the Play-In).

As for DeMar, he did DeRozan things, as king of the midrange, hitting on over 51% of his two-point shots, while averaging 22.2 points with 4.4 assists. But he thought he was coming to a playoff contender, and can't be happy with his lot in SacTown now, with two more years to run on his contract (at about $25M AAV).

Could the six-time All-Star be looking to move on? If so, Pat Riley could come calling, per Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

DeMar DeRozan is once again viewed by other teams as a potential target for Riley and the (Miami) Heat.

If the Kings give the slightest inkling that DeRozan could be available in the coming weeks, Riley will likely be all over it. "Pat Riley is always aggressive on the summer trade market, and he will be involved in any conversations about All-Star players hitting the market," writes Siegel.

Could the Miami Heat swing a trade for DeMar DeRozan?

The Heat are looking to replace the scoring and leadership of Jimmy Butler, who they were forced to trade this past season at the player's insistence. Miami went 12-20 after Butler's exit, and dropped to the bottom of the Play-In, where they clawed their way into the playoffs, only to be eviscerated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight, including a 55-point loss, the third-worst in NBA playoff history.

Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro could use some help, particular a scoring forward, and if the Heat & Kings can come to an agreement, DeRozan could help. Sacramento might be looking at a reset after trading away Fox.

DeRozan, however, might not be the only star player that Riley targets this summer.