The Los Angeles Lakers will be busy this summer, hoping to add another superstar to the roster. Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan is undoubtedly on the Purple and Gold’s radar.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently suggested a hypothetical trade scenario for the Lakers to land DeMar DeRozan. As per Buckley, the Lakers will need to form a trade package featuring Malik Beasley and the 2029 first-round draft pick to land the 33-year-old.
“The Lakers need more shot-creation and shot-making around LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” Buckley wrote. “That’s why they initially gambled on Russell Westbrook, and it’s why they targeted D’Angelo Russell at the deadline. They need more scoring than either could provide, though. That’s why they could consider swinging a deal for DeMar DeRozan, the Compton native who’s on course to average better than 24 points on 50-plus percent shooting for the second consecutive season.”
Buckley also added: “He isn’t the outside shooter L.A. would ideally pair with its two stars, but the trade budget only stretches so far. Turning one future first-rounder and a shooting specialist into a top-tier scorer and solid secondary playmaker is a win, even if the fit isn’t perfect.”
DeRozan is averaging 24.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 5.1 APG while shooting 51.0% from the field and 33.9% from downtown.
A player of this caliber could become the final piece for the Purple and Gold to compete for the NBA Championship next season.
DeMar DeRozan Was Almost Traded To The Los Angeles Lakers
DeMar DeRozan has been linked to the Lakers over the last two years or so. Even today, there are chances that the Purple and Gold will one day land DeMar.
The Lakers may still get DeRozan, but the team missed an opportunity of doing so when they traded for Russell Westbrook prior to the 2021-22 NBA season.
So much so that DeRozan himself revealed that he believed his trade to the Lakers was a done deal until the franchise announced Russell Westbrook’s arrival.
“To my knowledge, it was a done deal. I remember I took a trip to Mexico to just get away because I could feel the anticipation of everything coming to play. So, I was like, I’m going away for a couple of days, take my mind off it. And by the time I come home, it’s free agency. Hey, signing with the Lakers. I’m sleeping one morning in Mexico, I get a call from Kyle Lowry, and he said, ‘They just made the trade for Russ (Westbrook). What’s going on? I thought the deal was done for you to go to the Lakers.'”
Well, the Lakers missed that golden opportunity to trade for DeRozan ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season. Hopefully, the team will not repeat the same mistake if presented with another chance to land DeMar DeRozan.
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