DeMar DeRozan Flings Bottle as Sacramento Kings Lose 13th

DeMar DeRozan showed visible frustration during Sacramento's 120-94 loss to New Orleans, tossing a water bottle amid the Kings' 13th straight defeat. He said "A lot of stuff we do is self-inflicted" and blamed poor spacing as Sacramento sank to a 12-43 record and its longest losing streak since moving to Northern California. Coach Doug Christie spoke with DeRozan after the game, and reports say a buyout is off the table, leaving trade or waiver as future possibilities. Merlin sees a team caught between pride and patience. With minimal roster help and key additions sidelined, the Kings lack the depth and cohesion to halt the slide. DeRozan's anger fuels accountability but does not fix structural problems. A home date with Utah is a short reprieve, while real answers likely arrive when the calendar turns to summer.