A common misconception made by many fans is that teams with numerous on-ball orientated players can’t work together because there’s “just one ball.”

After acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, the Sacramento Kings became the object of this line of criticism. Naysayers believe the acquisition will fail because there is no great way for DeRozan to coalesce with All-Stars De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

While I do believe this trio has limitations that currently keep the Kings from being an inner circle title contender, my reasons have nothing to do with the offensive end of the floor. And despite ultimately losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener on Thursday, the Kings demonstrated myriad mechanisms they can employ to fit DeRozan into their offensive machine.

A Willingness To Play Off-Ball

Ask anyone around the league, and they will tell you that DeRozan is the consummate professional. He has no issue taking a backseat and playing off other high-level players. The issue is that his limitations as a shooter (career 29.6 percent three-point shooter) make it difficult for him to flank teammates in a conventional manner. We saw this early on in the opener when Fox tossed a pass to DeRozan in the corner for an awkward-looking triple try.

The best way the Kings can use DeRozan off-ball is by allowing him to attack off the catch. DeRozan may not be able to drain threes, but he is an adept driver. According to the Thinking Basketball Database, DeRozan has placed in the 87th percentile or higher in true shooting on drives in each of the last six years.

The formula is simple: have one of Sacramento’s other ball-handlers create an advantage that tilts the floor, swing it to DeRozan, and let the chef cook in his brand new kitchen.

Ask anyone around the league, and they will tell you that DeRozan is the consummate professional. He has no issue taking a backseat and playing off other high-level players. The issue is that his limitations as a shooter (career 29.6 percent three-point shooter) make it difficult for him to flank teammates in a conventional manner. We saw this early on in the opener when Fox tossed a pass to DeRozan in the corner for an awkward-looking triple try.

The best way the Kings can use DeRozan off-ball is by allowing him to attack off the catch. DeRozan may not be able to drain threes, but he is an adept driver. According to the Thinking Basketball Database, DeRozan has placed in the 87th percentile or higher in true shooting on drives in each of the last six years.

The formula is simple: have one of Sacramento’s other ball-handlers create an advantage that tilts the floor, swing it to DeRozan, and let the chef cook in his brand new kitchen.

Ask anyone around the league, and they will tell you that DeRozan is the consummate professional. He has no issue taking a backseat and playing off other high-level players. The issue is that his limitations as a shooter (career 29.6 percent three-point shooter) make it difficult for him to flank teammates in a conventional manner. We saw this early on in the opener when Fox tossed a pass to DeRozan in the corner for an awkward-looking triple try.