Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan climbed to 20th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, surpassing John Havlicek and Paul Pierce during a 128-97 defeat to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. DeRozan’s career points total now stands at 26,406, making him one of the highest-scoring active players in the league.
The 17-year veteran contributed 15 points and seven assists in just 24 minutes of play, further cementing his reputation as one of the NBA’s most consistent and productive scorers. This milestone highlights his steady scoring ability despite the Kings’ challenging season.
Context of DeRozan’s Place Among NBA Greats
Though DeRozan has advanced past notable legends, several all-time greats remain ahead of him on the scoring ladder. Leading the pack is Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who continues to extend his scoring record. He is followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.
Other active players ahead of DeRozan include Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Stephen Curry, all prolific scorers themselves. DeRozan’s presence among these basketball icons speaks to his durability and scoring consistency throughout a lengthy career.
DeRozan’s Current Season Performance and Team Role
This season with the Sacramento Kings, the former ninth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft has appeared in 59 games, averaging 18.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. Despite the Kings struggling with a league-worst 13-47 record, DeRozan remains a steady force and a bright spot for the team.
Tracing the Journey of DeMar DeRozan’s NBA Career
DeRozan began his NBA career in Toronto, where he was drafted out of USC and spent nine seasons with the Raptors. There, he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and led Toronto to several playoff appearances, including a memorable run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016.
His peak performance came during the 2016–17 season when he averaged a career-best 27.3 points per game and earned his first All-NBA honor. Holding multiple Raptors franchise records, he remains one of the most significant players in the team’s history.
In 2018, DeRozan was involved in a high-profile trade sending him to the San Antonio Spurs, a move that allowed the Raptors to acquire Kawhi Leonard, who helped Toronto secure its first NBA championship. Under coach Gregg Popovich, DeRozan continued to develop his skills and maintained efficient scoring.
Following his time with the Spurs, DeRozan signed with the Chicago Bulls, where he elevated his game further. In the 2021–22 season, he earned All-NBA Second Team honors while averaging 27.9 points per game. During his time in Chicago, DeRozan also reached the 20,000 career points mark, placing him among the top 50 scorers in NBA history.
In 2024, DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings, where he recently surpassed 25,000 points before achieving this latest milestone and officially entering the league’s Top 20 scorers.
Significance of DeRozan’s Achievement for His Legacy and the League
DeRozan’s ascent into the top 20 NBA scorers underlines his durability, consistency, and high-level performance across nearly two decades. Achieving such a milestone places him among the elite scorers who have shaped the league’s history.
As he continues to add to his point total, DeRozan’s legacy as a dependable scorer and veteran leader grows, especially valuable on a struggling Kings team. His journey offers inspiration, highlighting persistence and steady excellence in a sport driven by star power and fleeting success.
