The Los Angeles Lakers and their blockbuster Russell Westbrook trade over DeMar DeRozan continue to garner attention to this day. And on his part, the now Chicago Bulls forward still feels that his move to the Purple and Gold, to his knowledge, was a done and dusted deal.
It wasn’t meant to be as the Lakers booked a roster spot for Westbrook, and DeRozan went on to play alongside Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso in the Windy City.
Speaking on an episode of JJ Redick’s The Old Man and The Three podcast, the 33-year-old relived the failed deal.
“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”
Naturally, the confusion erupted after the news of Westbrook’s trade sunk in, and DeRozan described it as “scramble mode” for him after that turn of events/
“And I am like, I was confused. I’m looking at my phone, damn, that did happen. Well, I guess that’s out of the window. Because in my mind, my only option was to go to. Like I was sold on that. Done deal. I didn’t even entertain anything else because I am letting this situation work itself out. So when I see the trade happen, I knew it was no way for me to go to the Lakers at this point.”
“To my knowledge, I thought it was a done deal.” DeMar DeRozan really thought he was going to be a Laker.
Watch the full episode with @jj_redick and @talter: https://t.co/iFQ3jKqn9N pic.twitter.com/SV73O5jdyy
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) September 29, 2022
There was light over the horizon as DeRozan was traded to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade that sent Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a protected first-round draft pick, and two second-round draft picks to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange.
DeRozan Felt “Irrelevant” With The Spurs
While the forward said he did enjoy his time with head coach Gregg Popovich during his time with the Spurs, he also felt the need for something else. In the podcast, he revealed there were phases where he doubted himself and even felt “irrelevant.”
The deal with the Lakers went south meaning he missed a chance to link up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who in fact, reportedly pushed to land Westbrook in Los Angeles. The move didn’t well as the unit failed to make the postseason and had former Lakers players slamming James.
However, the Bulls benefited with DeRozan in their ranks as he averaged 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in the 76 games he suited up for.
DeRozan and the Bulls, minus Ball will now make a push for another playoff appearance after they made the postseason last time just to be eliminated 4-1 by the Milwaukee Bucks. They open their 2022-23 campaign against the Miami Heat in an away fixture on October 19.
