DeRoz came home (or close enough), and Kings fans showed him big love.
DeMar DeRozan definitely knew his deal with Sacramento was close to complete before the rest of us, because he just so happened to be attending an otherwise meaningless Kings Summer League game Saturday, just minutes after it was reported he was heading West.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Bontemps reported Saturday night the completion of a three-team deal that would send DeRozan to Sacramento in a sign-and-trade from the Chicago Bulls and send Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs.
And not long after that report, DeRozan showed up for his new team’s California Classic game against China, receiving a loud standing ovation from the home crowd.
DeMar DeRozan just walked into Golden 1 Center with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive to a huge ovation pic.twitter.com/sUC8oY3TCo
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 7, 2024
DeMar DeRozan was just introduced to the crowd in Sacramento to the tune of Kendrick Lamar’s “They Not Like Us.” pic.twitter.com/yhFu6hy1m7
— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) July 7, 2024
And peep the song playing in the background; Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us.
DeRozan, of course, is mentioned in the song when Lamar says “I’m glad DeRoz came home.” He also joined Lamar on stage when he performed the song five straight times at The Pop Out concert, and he made a cameo in the music video that debuted Thursday.
Sacramento isn’t exactly DeRozan’s native Los Angeles, but it’s close enough.
