DeMar Derozan Reveals How The Doubters Have Fueled The Kings Ahead Of The Regular Season

The Western Conference is set to be a bloodbath in 2025–26, with no less than eight teams in the conference considered genuine contenders this season. From Oklahoma City to Denver, there is plenty of Championship pedigree in the West this year, but one team that's been highly overlooked is the Sacramento Kings.

Despite once having a talented young core, this is a team now that's pivoted to a veteran group led by Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and the newly signed Russell Westbrook. For some, that's taken them down a notch in the West, but according to DeRozan, those doubters are fueling this team ahead of the new campaign that begins on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.

"To see those bullsh*t list they put out there, you definitely gotta be fueled off that, without a doubt."

Clearly, this entire team has a chip on their shoulder ahead of the regular season, with DeRozan making it clear that this team is motivated, and they believe that they can be genuine contenders in 2025–26, even in the loaded Western Conference.

On paper, the Kings are outmatched by the likes of Denver, Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and other top teams, but with their veteran group, they have clear confidence in themselves. For now, though, all we can do is wait and see how this team gels together, and if they can get the best out of their veterans, this may be a team that pushes for a playoff spot in 2025–26.