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The goal is to always improve, and the Sacramento Kings did just that on Saturday.

According to a league source, the Kings are acquiring 34-year-old star wing DeMar DeRozan in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. Shams Charania from The Athletic was first with the news.

In exchange for DeRozan, the Kings sent veteran forward Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 first round pick swap to the Spurs, as well as Chris Duarte and two second round picks to the Bulls.

The Bulls and Kings pulled off a sign-and-trade for the six-time All-Star, with DeRozan landing in Sacramento on a three-year, $76 million contract plus incentives. According to TNT’s Chris Haynes, the first two years of DeRozan’s contract is fully guaranteed at $59 million. The third year is partially guaranteed.

Despite his age, DeRozan still has plenty left in the tank. He averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 79 games for the Bulls last season while playing a league-best 37.8 minutes per game. He shot 48 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three on 2.8 attempts per game. 

This was a bold move by Kings general manager Monte McNair, especially with the free agent market drying up. Here is a quick look at what DeRozan’s addition means to Sacramento. 

With Barnes’ departure, DeRozan will likely slide into the starting small forward spot, barring another roster change over the coming days. He instantly becomes the Kings’ second leading scoring option behind De’Aaron Fox, and his ability to score in the clutch gives Sacramento a pair of elite closers down the stretch of games.

DeRozan isn’t the 3-point shooter that Barnes is, but his ability to score in the mid-range is elite. Coach Mike Brown will have to be creative to get DeRozan looks in the Kings’ offense, but this is a player who has posted eleven straight seasons with 20 points or more, including three consecutive seasons over 24 points per game.

Adding to his ability to score, DeRozan is an accomplished passer, averaging 5.3 dimes per game for the Bulls last season. He’s posted 4.9 assists per game in seven consecutive seasons, making him a perfect secondary playmaker for the Kings’ offense.

On the defensive end, DeRozan’s numbers are better than expected. He held his opponent to 34.4 percent from three, 1.8 percent below their average. He also allowed just .1 percent above average overall on all defensive possessions. 

This is a player on a Hall of Fame path. In addition to his six All-Star appearances, he’s earned All-NBA honors three times during his 15-year career and his durability is shocking for a player a few years north of 30. 

First and foremost, this is a short term contract with an aging player. DeRozan proved that he is in incredible shape, suiting up for 79 games and leading the league in both minutes per game and overall minutes played, so there is hope that he holds up and could potentially play deep into his 30’s as a high level contributor. 

He instantly gives the Kings a boost in talent and experience, but at 6-foot-6, he isn’t a perfect fit at the small forward spot. There is a possibility that the Kings shift him to the backcourt, but they don’t currently have a lot of depth at forward after dealing away Barnes. 

The Bulls weren’t a very good defensive team last season, finishing 22nd overall in the NBA in defensive rating at 115.7. That isn’t all on DeRozan, and his defensive stats are solid, but he is an offensive weapon, not a defensive stopper. It should be noted that his marks defending the three are much better than Barnes’ last season. 

DeRozan isn’t a high level or high volume 3-point shooter, which could cause issues with the team’s spacing. He has a defined game that has been incredibly effective for a decade and a half, but he is a clear downgrade from Barnes when it comes to the catch-and-shoot three, which the Kings will have to figure out. 

There is no question that the Kings got better on Saturday. DeRozan has been a star level player for the last decade and he brings some intangibles that the Kings desperately need. His ability to score in the mid-range is elite. His rebounding and assist numbers are much better than Barnes posted last season. The argument could even be made that he was a better overall defender than what the Kings had at the three last season, outside of Keegan Murray’s minutes.

When Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter went down with injuries late in the year, the Kings struggled to create scoring opportunities. DeRozan instantly gives the team another option, both as a scorer and a distributor. 

DeRozan finished second in the league’s Clutch Player of the Year balloting and gives the Kings the type of versatility that teams dream of down the stretch of games. Between Fox, Monk and DeRozan, they have three deadly attackers. Murray’s ability to space the floor and Sabonis’ presence in the post make the team potent, not only in closing lineups, but from the opening tip of the game.

In order to add talent, the Kings lost one of their leaders and an all-around professional in Harrison Barnes. That’s the cost of doing business in the NBA. The Kings also lost depth with Duarte leaving in the trade.

There is also plenty of time for the team to add another piece or two to the puzzle, but this was a big one. DeRozan is a star level player. His resumé, not only over the last 15 years, but even last season with the Bulls, is incredibly impressive. 

McNair and his staff pulled off a net neutral trade when the cap is considered and still have room under the luxury tax and first apron to play with. They also have three future first round picks at their disposal and plenty of other assets to work with. Step one was re-signing Monk. Step two was drafting Devin Carter. Step three is DeRozan, but there is still time and room for more improvement to an improving roster.