Even though he was only there for three seasons, DeMar DeRozan meant a lot to the Chicago Bulls. His clinical scoring acumen and veteran IQ came close to transforming the squad. However, over the past two seasons, injuries derailed the team’s hopes. Yet Deebo stood firm, giving it his all for the organization. And while he is poised to start his new future with the Kings at ‘home’, DeRozan revealed he never wanted to leave the iconic franchise in the first place.

He said so during his conversation with Brian Windhorst during the Hoop Collective show. The 35-year-old revealed how he tried his best to keep the Bulls in contention, playing the most minutes in the NBA. During his stint, several key pieces such as Zach Lavine, Patrick Williams, and Lonzo Ball barely saw the floor. It majorly affected him as well as the organization. His frustrations grew due to them failing to cross the hump, and the Bulls decided it was time to go young, a wave Deebo saw coming.

“What I knew was that the inevitable would come. You kind of feel it. You been in the league long enough you know where something is going so I try my best because that city was so embracing to me. They took me in. The culture behind that. You know obviously 90s, the 80s Michael Jordan. Like that’s a sports city through in throughout. For the first time in my career to be a part of a town that from top to bottom is sports, lives and dies by sport, I just wanted to be a staple in that the best as I can,” he said while talking to Windhorst.

DeRozan did truly leave everything on the floor. During the regular season, he played over 40 minutes in a game 25 times. His intentions were always to try and elevate the franchise. Whether it meant being a clutch maniac or playing heavy minutes, he did it with integrity and pride. The intent majorly came from the bonds he formed with his teammates.

He spoke about it when he went to Paul George’s show and also in his farewell message to the Bulls. Even after losing to the Heat in the Play-In Tournament, the six-time All-Star said he would love to re-sign. It was all due to the way the city welcomed him with unconditional love. However, at the same time, he understood the business.

“I tried to do my best. I didn’t want to leave. But you know the business of basketball, things happen. You got to make a decision,” he said on Hoop Collective. And the decision was to move to the Kings.

DeMar DeRozan hopes to fuel the Kings

In the past when speaking of forming a connection, Deebo said he only ever felt at home in Toronto. However, with the Kings, he has a special opportunity to actually stay home. It’s not Los Angeles, but it’s closer to his kids than being in Windy City. That in itself is motivation to be a leader in the Kings locker room and aid their dynamic core in getting over the bar.

His work began early. From the moment he announced the news, DeMar DeRozan got in contact with Kings center Domantas Sabonis. As the focal point of the SAC offense, it was integral for Sabonis to adjust to Deebo. They spent a week together in Los Angeles doing so which helped the Lithuanian attain reassurance.

“I think it’s going to be good for us. It’s going to make us think differently on the court, move differently. Really read each other because we’re used to playing one style. But he does something at a Hall of Fame level that we’re going to have to play around and that’s just going to make it so much harder for teams to guard us because we can basically score from everywhere,” he said about the seasoned guard.

From the outside, the trade only empowers an already fluent offense in Sacramento. However, their difficulties have come during the big moments, such as losing in the Play-In last season. Led by Fox, the Kings are young and were in need of someone draping in experience. DeRozan answers the bell not just as someone who can help them stay even keen in those times, but also add diversity to their offense.

His mid-range threat adds an additional layer of danger to the fast pace. A calmness within the rigorous attack. Additionally, Sacramento is hunting for defensive forwards and looks well on its way to being a complete roster. On that note, it seems to be a symphony. However, until simulated in the NBA, it remains unknown how the Kings will look with DeMar DeRozan.