Huerter Explains Why DeRozan ‘Automatically’ Makes Kings Better originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
After missing the playoffs during the 2023-24 NBA season, the Kings went on a quest this offseason to bring in a major star and bolster their roster.
Kings guard Kevin Huerter believes they did that single-handedly by acquiring six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal.
“First of all, when you add a guy like DeMar and his skill set, you’re automatically better,” Huerter said in a recent appearance on “The Check Ball Show.” “When you add a player of his caliber, you’re a better team.
“I will say there is a lot of confidence in our building. It has been there since I have been here.”
That confidence has likely only grown since the arrival of a player like DeRozan, who averaged 21.2 points on 46.9 percent shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists over his 15-year career.
Huerter joined the Kings for the 2022-23 season and helped Sacramento end a 17-year drought for a third-place finish in the Western Conference.
The Kings couldn’t repeat their fairytale season the following year, finishing with two fewer wins but still dropping six spots in the Western Conference playoffs. They won their first NBA Play-In Tournament game against the Golden State Warriors, but lost to the New Orleans Pelicans in their last attempt to secure a best-of-seven playoff series.
And the West has only gotten stronger, something Huerter acknowledged, but he also believes the Kings are prepared for it.
“The West is a very tough [conference]”, Huerter said. “We felt like we lost a couple of easy home games last year or games we could have won and you’re still just in the mix. Every year, there’s two or three up there and then everyone seems to be in the mix. So the last two years, we’ve been kind of there. I think we’re very confident. It can go either way. We can score and play with anyone.
“Defensively, we continue to show that we’re getting better, even in the second half of last season. That was evident in the playoffs against the Warriors. I think we can still reach another level defensively. But it’s hard to make predictions because it also feels like the talent in the NBA, to me, is at an all-time high.
“…I think we’re in the mix with anybody and can beat anybody on any given night. It’s only 82 games. Let’s see if we can stay healthy.”
Health is certainly on Huerter’s mind right now, as he’s spent the summer rehabbing after surgery on his left shoulder to repair a torn labrum. With training camp just around the corner, Huerter’s focus is on getting back on the court with his boys in hopes of getting them back in the playoffs.
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