Following a Western Conference Finals exit, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to have a busy offseason.
The idea is to pair LeBron James and Anthony Davis with a third star. Earlier, D’Angelo Russell was expected to be that star. But D’Lo’s poor series vs. the Denver Nuggets could be the reason why he will most likely get traded. Speaking of which, Greg Swartz of the Bleacher Report recently suggested a trade between the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls for DeMar DeRozan.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: D’Angelo Russell (Via Sign-And-Trade), Mo Bamba, Max Christie, 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
“DeRozan gives the Lakers a third All-Star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, putting Los Angeles back into true championship contention,” Swartz wrote.
DeMar DeRozan had a terrific 2022-23 NBA season, where he averaged 24.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 5.1 APG. Adding a player of his caliber around James and Davis could finally help the Lakers in winning the championship No. 18.
As for the Bulls, they will get a talented point guard in D’Angelo Russell. With Lonzo Ball’s return still uncertain, the Bulls could be intrigued to go ahead with the trade. On top of that, the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick still holds value. It would be a great asset for the organization to have.
DeMar DeRozan Believed His Move To The Lakers Was A Done Deal
DeMar DeRozan was heavily linked for a move to the Los Angeles Lakers before he ultimately signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2021. The Lakers decided to trade for Russell Westbrook, and it turned out to be a huge mistake by the team.
Most wanted to see DeMar play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the 2021-22 NBA season. Speaking of the move, DeRozan revealed that even he believed his move to the Lakers was a ‘done deal.’
“I felt like going to the Lakers was a done deal and that we were going to figure it out. I was going to come home. The business side of things just didn’t work out. A couple of things didn’t align. It didn’t work out. It’s just part of the business, part of the game. My next option was definitely Chicago. So, looking back at it, it worked out well.”
Since joining the Bulls, DeRozan has been averaging 26.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 5.0 APG while shooting 50.4% from the field and 33.8% from beyond the three-point line.
Will the Lakers finally trade for DeRozan this summer? Well, it could be a way to ensure that LeBron James stays with the organization until the end of his contract.
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