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DeMar DeRozan is heading to California, but not to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The former Chicago Bulls star signed with the Sacramento Kings on Saturday in a sign-and-trade, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps. He joins the team on a three-year deal.
After the trade, the NBA world trolled the Lakers for failing to bring the Los Angeles native to their roster this offseason.
The news of DeRozan signing with the Kings comes after the Lakers missed out on Klay Thompson, who joined the Dallas Mavericks. Los Angeles was looking to make a splash this offseason by adding another star alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but so far have yet to do so.
Meanwhile, the teams standing in the Lakers’ way of another title have only gotten stronger. The Kings were already on the brink of being a serious playoff contender, and DeRozan’s signing only makes them better.
Though he’s in the later stages of his career, DeRozan averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.
The clock is ticking for Los Angeles to improve its roster this offseason, and many big-name free agents are already off the board.