Kings Future, DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, More

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Domantas Sabonis: It was so fast. It was on the finish of summer season. It was solely a few guys, and I obtained it from my agent. As soon as I mentioned sure and signed the subsequent day, there have been cameras round 24/7 following me. I’d get up, and there was a digital camera in my face. I’m making an attempt to go to the lavatory, they usually’re following me.

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DS: I’m undoubtedly extra of a non-public man with a household and every thing, however Netflix has been big having a chance like that and seeing the checklist of gamers that was beginning to acquire on Beginning 5. It’s an honor being on that checklist and having the ability to make clear Sacramento and the Kings with every thing we’ve accomplished because the commerce to type of change a company round and let folks know a bit extra about me.

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DS: Individuals who don’t know me on the court docket, I’m a typical bruiser. It’s very intense on the market entering into it with gamers and refs. I’m a pleasant, regular man who desires to hang around along with his household and spouse. You get a behind-the-scenes take a look at that with me and each single participant and never simply what you see on social media. I feel it’s going to be actually attention-grabbing.

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DS: I don’t know the way the opposite gamers did it, however I’ve two children at residence, and you may’t actually change. You’re in dad mode. No matter occurs, occurs. You’ll be able to’t inform your children, who’re one and two years previous, that the cameras are on (laughs). It doesn’t actually work that means. Regardless of the viewers see shall be all-natural and actual.

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DS: I feel it’s big. We haven’t had a veteran who has a Corridor of Fame profession like him and his IQ. I spent a few weeks with him in Los Angeles figuring out, and I discovered a lot from that little time with him. The perfect factor – other than what everybody is aware of he brings – off the court docket and contained in the locker room, he’s going to convey a special mentality to the group. He’s right here to not fiddle. He’s right here for the correct cause. He desires to win. For us, I really feel like final yr, our greatest situation was locking in for all of the video games the place you may inform the nice groups towards the decrease seeded groups. It ended up placing us in a troublesome place. I really feel like he’s going to convey that veteran presence that we’d like.

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities

DS: Everybody is aware of what Fox can do. He’s been the Clutch Participant of the 12 months. Each time we’d like a bucket, he has it. Everyone knows about DeMar. He’s been within the league a very long time and has quite a lot of respect. I feel it’s powerful. Groups are going to must put one of the best defender on a kind of two guys, after which the opposite one shall be unfastened. It’s going to place us in a great space. For all these rankings, let’s see how the season performs out. We’ll be prepared to come back in and go after it.

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DS: The Kings have excessive expectations. We had them final yr after our first yr. Now, with DeMar, they’re going to count on us to go far. I’m excited to get rolling and begin coaching camp. You possibly can already really feel the thrill across the facility.

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities

DS: I’ve liked Sacramento from the second I obtained right here. Everybody welcomed me with open arms. They made this commerce really easy. Fox let me be me from the day I obtained right here. I didn’t have to regulate my position. That’s been superior. The followers, while you are available, each recreation is offered out. You’ll see it within the present. They’re there. If we have now a back-to-back and play the identical staff the subsequent recreation, it’s nonetheless offered out. As a participant and competitor, it makes it a lot extra enjoyable to be right here. It’s heat right here. We’ve palm timber. You may be within the pool. I’ve liked my time right here. The Indy part looks as if such a very long time in the past. I do know I’ve solely been right here for 2 full seasons, but it surely appears like quite a bit longer than it has.

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DS: Yeah, after all. They’ve solely been good. It’s been superb. The followers have been superior. As a participant, you at all times need to construct a legacy someplace, and you may’t do it for those who’re not in a single place and doing nice issues for that staff. Clearly, it will depend on my efficiency and the staff’s efficiency, however that undoubtedly would actually be a cool factor.

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DS: We didn’t really speak about it. We’re two guys which are actually centered on the staff. Everybody was saying we had been snubbed. If something, that reveals that individuals suppose we deserved it, and it reveals disrespect from different folks (laughs). It simply made us come out and play tougher and stronger. I already don’t want extra motivation. I’m at all times able to go each recreation.

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities

DS: Thank God that we saved him. He’s a giant piece of how we play, and his power and vibes off the court docket. He’s an excellent locker room man. He retains us at all times locked in and glad. That’s one thing you may’t exchange with quite a lot of gamers within the league. He brings a swagger and is at all times able to go. For us off the bench final yr, he had a burst coming in and serving to the second unit. To take care of that with one other yr of expertise beneath his belt and a brand new contract it often offers you extra confidence. I’m anticipating huge issues from him.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities

DS: It’s huge. I really feel like all of us, the three or 4 of the core, must hold taking steps. On the finish of the day, it’s on how properly we carry out and assist the staff. He’s been placing within the work all summer season, and he’s taken a step yearly I’ve gotten right here. For us, because it was earlier than and much more now that we’ve obtained DeMar, it’s about successful. We all know there are going to be sacrifices for everybody. We actually don’t care. We need to get to the top of the season, make sure that we’re within the playoffs, after which have that very same mentality going ahead.

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DS: To realize extra confidence and belief in himself. We’re at all times right here for him. I’m at all times making an attempt to get him straightforward seems, get him going, and for him to come back out and be him. With DeMar, hopefully, there shall be extra folks on the market making an attempt to get him open seems. I feel he’s going to have simpler seems, which shall be good for us.

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