DeMar DeRozan is suddenly the hottest name on the trade market, and for good reason. The Sacramento Kings veteran just reached a historic milestone, and now contenders are lining up to make moves around the February 5th trade deadline. For the first time in years, a 36-year-old is being pursued like he's in his prime—and his numbers back it up.
Last week, DeRozan scored 27 points as the Sacramento Kings beat the New York Knicks 112-101, moving him to 22nd on the NBA's all-time scoring list. That celebration came on the heels of an even bigger achievement when he became the 23rd player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points, leading the Sacramento Kings to a 111-98 victory over the Houston Rockets. For a 36-year-old still playing at an elite level, these aren't just numbers—they're proof he belongs alongside the greatest scorers ever to touch an NBA court. The veteran forward led the Kings in scoring, reaching the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season and extending his streak of 20-plus-point games to four.
Multiple contenders smell opportunity. The LA Clippers have their eyes on DeRozan, with the Clippers having "exploratory conversations" with the Kings regarding DeRozan and his teammate Keon Ellis. But the Clippers aren't alone in the race. Following Jimmy Butler's torn ACL, the Golden State Warriors may explore a trade for Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan as a short-term replacement. The 36-year-old is averaging 19.0 points and 4.0 assists on 50.8% field goal shooting, making him exactly the kind of reliable, efficient veteran scorer that teams desperately need when chasing a championship. With February 5th approaching fast, expect these rumors to heat up even more.