Domantas Sabonis dismisses age concerns with DeMar DeRozan, sends subtle warning to NBA opponents

Domantas Sabonis is not worried about the age concerns with his newest Sacramento Kings teammate, DeMar DeRozan. Sabonis is confident about the ability of the 35-year-old, and sent a subtle warning to the rest of the NBA. The Kings acquired DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings.

In an interview with reporters following his first youth basketball camp in Sacramento, Sabonis discussed the potential impact of DeRozan. He dismissed any concern about the Compton native's age, given that he's coming off a season wherein he averaged 24.0 points per game on 48.0% shooting.

"I mean, he doesn't look (old). Working with him and how hard he works and how he takes workouts seriously at that age, you really can't tell. ... I think he makes my life easier. I just got to keep doing my job and having him on the court is gonna give me a lot more options," Sabonis said.

Domantas Sabonis added what DeMar DeRozan will add to the Sacramento Kings' top offense next season. Sabonis is one of the catalysts of coach Mike Brown's offensive system. The Lithuanian big man believes that the league might not be ready to guard the new-look Kings.

He said:

"I think it's going to be good for us. It's going to make us think differently on the court, move differently and really read each other. We are used to playing one style, but he does something at a Hall of Fame level that we're going to have to play around and it's going to make it so much harder for teams to guard us because we can basically score from anywhere."

The Kings acquired DeMar DeRozan in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan signed a three-year, $74 million with the Kings as part of the deal. The Spurs received Harrison Barnes, while the Bulls got Chris Duarte and two second-round picks.

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Domantas Sabonis 'surprised' Malik Monk returned to the Kings

Domantas Sabonis 'surprised' Malik Monk returned to the Kings. (Photo: IMAGN)

The Sacramento Kings brought back scorching scoring sixth man Malik Monk on a four-year, $78 million last summer. Monk is one of the premier role players in the NBA and will likely close some games for the Kings. However, Domantas Sabonis was surprised to see him return to Sacramento, calling it the best decision of Monk's career.

"I was actually very surprised. I was talking to him a lot during the year and I thought we really lost him, but I'm happy he stayed. I think it's the best decision for him and for us," Sabonis said after his youth basketball camp in Sacramento.

The Kings have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA next season with De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. They also have a deep bench with Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, Alex Len and Trey Lyles.