The Los Angeles Lakers are 27-25 and not having the season people expected from them. The Lakers were considered among the contenders in the NBA after a Western Conference Finals run last year and adding pieces in the summer. Instead, they look like a play-in team once again, currently sitting in the ninth seed.
They have actively looked to upgrade their roster since the start of the season, but have struggled to find the right value players. The Lakers are unwilling to trade any major assets for players they don’t consider All-Star or All-NBA level. Two players who earned that tag last year could be the perfect options if the Lakers finally decide to go all-in.
Kyrie Irving and DeMar DeRozan have been two players the Lakers have been repeatedly linked to but have never been able to finalize a deal due to value differences. With the Bulls looking to offload an expiring DeRozan and the Mavericks struggling to perfect the Luka Doncic and Kyrie duo, the Lakers can empty their asset cabinet for these two star-caliber veterans.
With less than 12 hours left before the trade deadline passes, the Lakers need to move fast to get these deals done right now.
DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan has had a strong season with the Bulls this year, averaging 22.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. The Bulls’ lack of success amidst multiple injuries kept him out of All-Star consideration, but DeRozan is still capable of performing at a high level in the right winning situation. The LA native has been linked to the Lakers since before he joined the Bulls and this may be the perfect time for this trade to happen.
The Bulls aren’t competitive or healthy enough to make a deep run in the playoffs, with a first-round exit ceiling on the team right now. Moving DeRozan and giving more responsibility to young players for development may be the right move. Coby White has shown star potential this season and Patrick Williams continues to take strides in his development. Instead of losing DeMar for nothing, the Bulls should use him to add a player like Austin Reaves, who’s highly valued and averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
The Lakers add a dynamite and reliable scorer to help them with their offensive struggles. There are defensive question marks over DeMar but nobody in this trade has made a major positive defensive impact for the Lakers this season. They have a solid defensive system in place and will hope DeMar slots into it while maintaining his offensive touch.
Kyrie Irving
Mavericks Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Lakers Receive: Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has been consistently linked to the Lakers since before he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, with a possible Kyrie-LeBron James reunion constantly sparking rumors. The Lakers couldn’t get a deal done with the Nets for Irving last winter, with Kyrie being dealt to Dallas. He’s averaging 25.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season but has struggled to be available for the 28-23 Mavs who are relying on superhuman production from Luka Doncic to stay afloat.
With Irving’s unavailability and possible age-related decline, the Mavericks could reinforce their lack of assets by dealing Kyrie for two cost-controlled young players. D’Angelo Russell is averaging 22.8 points and 6.4 assists over the last 15 games and could be a great offensive fit as a combo guard next to Luka. Rui Hachimura bolsters the Mavericks threadbare frontcourt, averaging 11.3 points and 3.7 rebounds this season. The 2029 Lakers pick is arguably the most valuable pick available in the NBA due to the long-term questions around the franchise.
Kyrie would be a seamless offensive fit in LA, bringing all the qualities that the team needs from their point guard. He’s an elite isolation scorer and clutch time option while showing flashes of improved rebounding and defense in recent seasons. He knows how to play with LeBron and would further unlock Anthony Davis as well. Adding Irving with DeMar fixes most of the offensive issues the Lakers have, with a bigger emphasis on existing pieces to continue defending at a high level.
The Lakers Would Be Transformed Into Title Contenders
Adding both Kyrie and DeMar next to LeBron and AD seems like a hysterical notion but could be possible if the Lakers push. It’s the only way to maximize the team as currently constructed, and may require more assets sent to Dallas especially to let go of Kyrie. The Bulls should be happy with getting Reaves for an expiring contract they were unlikely to re-sign.
This trade would open a terrific opportunity for Max Christie, as the 21-year-old will naturally get more run next to Kyrie as a shooting guard with Reaves being gone. He’ll likely have to fight Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince for that spot, but his rotational role should be more secure if four players leave to accommodate two new ones. Christie, Reddish, and Prince all are high-effort defenders, which will be crucial for the Lakers.
Making up for the loss of Jarred Vanderbilt to injury will be tough, but the Lakers will be so supercharged offensively that they can make something happen if they get their lineup healthy in the playoffs. Health will be the only major concern for the Lakers, as one or two injuries could destabilize the franchise.
They would have arguably the best starting five in the NBA if they made this deal, but would need many of their rotational players to step up and be complementary players. This season, they’ve been asked to contribute more with statistical production as part of the depth-oriented Lakers lineup. But with four stars to carry that bit, the rotational players can fit back into more relevant supporting roles and make a positive impact.
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