DeMar DeRozan is the definition of a true professional in the NBA. Although things have not been going well for the Sacramento Kings this season, DeRozan's demeanor is unchanged, and he continues to play late in the 2025-26 season as if it was the first game of the year.
At this point, many veterans like him would have wasted the season and called it quits, especially as players like him, 36 and older, want to preserve any time they have left on the hardwood. Although DeRozan clearly believes this is a lost season in Sacramento, he is not one to leave in the middle of the year.
He has always held himself to a high standard, and the six-time All-Star recently admitted that he cherishes every minute he spends on the court because you never know when it will be your last moment to put on your uniform or put on your shoes.
"Yeah, I mean everybody's got to find their happiness, whatever way it is. For me, you know, you can't take these moments for granted," DeRozan told reporters on Wednesday, via Sactown Sports 1140.
“So for me, just the ability to go out there and play, to be able to get the opportunity, you know, for me, that's what keeps me going, keeps my happiness out there because you never know.”
DeRozan will turn 37 in August, making him one of the league's oldest active players, joining LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. As he enters the final few seasons of his career, DeRozan clearly wants to win and compete at the highest level, but playing for the Kings has allowed him to embrace this stage of his career.
Retirement is around the corner for DeRozan, which is why, whether it's for the Kings or another team moving forward, he'll be continuing to bring the same work ethic and positive attitude to being able to play the game he loves.
"I'm closer to the end more than anything. For me, I want to enjoy every single moment of playing basketball."
Playing in all 63 of the Kings' games so far on the season, DeRozan has averaged 18.2 points, 3.9 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor. He recently passed Paul Pierce to move to No. 23 on the NBA's all-time scoring list, and he will temporarily surpass Stephen Curry at No. 22 in his next game as Steph is currently out with an injury.
By the end of the season, DeRozan, who has 26,439 career points, could move into the top 20 of the all-time scoring list, surpassing George Gervin (26,595). Every player in the top 40 of this historical list is either a Hall of Famer or will be a Hall of Famer, which is why DeRozan's chances of being immortalized in Springfield when the time comes look good.
So, how many years does DeRozan have left? Only he knows the answer to that, but that won't stop him from going on the court every day and playing to the best of his ability, finding joy in both wins and losses, until his career is over.
