Four Straight Losses! DeRozan Struggles to Fit with Kings as Big Three Falters

The Sacramento Kings are in a tough spot. In their most recent game, they suffered a humiliating 95-122 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. This matchup was particularly notable given the backstory between De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton—two players once at the center of the Kings’ decision to trade Haliburton and commit to Fox. Unfortunately for Sacramento, they welcomed Haliburton back with an embarrassing blowout defeat.

In that game, none of the Kings’ “Big Three” performed well. Fox, the team’s franchise player and Haliburton’s former teammate, shot just 7-of-19 from the field and 2-of-6 from three, finishing with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Domantas Sabonis, the other major piece in the Haliburton trade, struggled offensively, shooting 6-of-22 for 17 points, though he did grab 21 rebounds (8 offensive) and dish out 4 assists. The most disappointing performance came from DeMar DeRozan, who played 28 minutes and scored just 2 points on 1-of-7 shooting. This was arguably DeRozan’s worst performance since joining the Kings, as he looked entirely out of sync offensively.

DeRozan’s Decline Over the Losing Streak

The loss to Indiana extended Sacramento’s losing streak to four games, during which DeRozan has been a significant liability. Here’s a breakdown of his performances during this stretch:

• Against the Pacers: 7-of-19, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists.
• Against the Nuggets: 18-of-7, 17 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists.
• First game vs. Lakers: 13-of-4, 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists.
• Second game vs. Lakers: 10-of-4, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists.

Over these four games, DeRozan has averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting a dismal 33.3% from the field. These numbers are well below his career norms and have contributed significantly to the Kings’ struggles.

Zooming out to the season as a whole, DeRozan’s production has declined compared to his tenure with the Chicago Bulls. This season, he’s averaging 20.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on shooting splits of 47.9% from the field, 30.8% from three, and 86.1% from the free-throw line. By comparison, last season with the Bulls, he averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 48.0% shooting from the field, 33.3% from deep, and 85.3% from the line. The drop-off is particularly stark in terms of his efficiency, with his true shooting percentage falling to 56.5%—his lowest mark in six years.

The Compatibility Problem

A closer look reveals the root of Sacramento’s struggles: a lack of chemistry among Fox, Sabonis, and DeRozan. All three players thrive with the ball in their hands, and it’s clear that their skill sets are not complementing each other. Fox and DeRozan, in particular, have overlapping playstyles, both relying heavily on isolations and mid-range scoring to find their rhythm. Forcing them to coexist has led to inefficiencies across the board.

Statistically, the Kings have a net rating of +1.6 per 100 possessions this season, ranking 9th in the Western Conference and 14th in the NBA—a respectable position. However, when Fox, Sabonis, and DeRozan share the court, the team’s net rating barely improves to +1.8, and when Fox and DeRozan play without Sabonis, the team is outscored by 0.4 points per 100 possessions. These metrics highlight the difficulty of integrating their Big Three effectively.

A Puzzling Record in the Clutch

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Kings’ season is their poor performance in clutch situations. Despite featuring two of the league’s best crunch-time players—Fox, the 2023 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, and DeRozan, the runner-up for the 2024 award—the Kings have gone just 6-12 in games decided in the final five minutes this season. This is a significant drop from their records over the previous two years (25-19 in 2022-23 and 20-19 in 2023-24).

This regression can partly be attributed to the reduced roles of Fox and DeRozan in critical moments. DeRozan, in particular, has always been a player who thrives on rhythm, often overcoming early shooting struggles to deliver in the fourth quarter. However, his decreased usage has limited his ability to take over games late.

What’s Next for Sacramento?

With a 13-17 record, the Kings sit 12th in the Western Conference and 21st in the league overall. Their net rating suggests they’re better than their record indicates, but it’s clear that adjustments are needed. Recent reports suggest that Sacramento may explore trade opportunities to address their roster imbalances. However, DeRozan’s recent struggles and his overall fit with the team raise questions about his trade value. Moving him might require the Kings to attach additional assets to entice other teams.

On the other hand, some analysts argue that the Kings should remain patient. The team has shown flashes of promise, and their 14th-ranked net efficiency indicates they’re competitive. Improved chemistry among the Big Three and better execution in clutch situations could turn their season around.

Then again, this is the Kings organization—a franchise known for its unpredictable moves. Rumors have even surfaced about the possibility of trading Fox, the player they chose over Haliburton, as his contract situation becomes a potential factor in future decisions. While such a scenario seems far-fetched, it’s hard to rule anything out with Sacramento’s front office.