The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be an intriguing team to keep an eye on this offseason. Even though they are preparing to take on the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, LeBron James and Anthony Davis could use more help around them. Could a trade for Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose be in the cards?
Bleacher Report certainly thinks that Rose would be a perfect offseason trade target for the Lakers. Here is some brief reasoning for why they believe that the fit would be a perfect one for both sides involved.
Every contender should have the assets necessary to match that money and acquire one of the league’s most explosive backup point guards. That’s true of the Los Angeles Lakers, whose net rating fell off a cliff when LeBron James left the floor this season.That dropoff had more to do with defense than offense, but having a reliable playmaker on the floor when LeBron sits would bring more balance to a bench that needs it.
Rose would absolutely bring some much-needed firepower to the Lakers’ bench. He wouldn’t add the perimeter shooting that the team needs to find this offseason, but his playmaking and ability to get to the rim and create his own shots would take pressure off of James and Davis.
During the 2019-20 season with the Pistons, Rose ended up averaging 18.1 points per game to go along with 5.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He shot 49 percent from the floor and knocked down 30.6 percent of his three-point attempts.
At 31 years old, Rose has turned his career around over the last couple of years. After brutal injury troubles derailed his career, he is back on track and an explosive scorer once again.
Quite a few contenders could consider making a push to trade for Rose. One other team who has been rumored to have interest in Rose is the Los Angeles Clippers.
If the Lakers were to acquire Rose, their bench would take an immediate step forward. Rose also has a past with James when they played together with the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was back when Rose was still dealing with seemingly constant injuries.
All of that being said, this is something to keep a close eye on this offseason. The Lakers may not end up pursuing a trade for Derrick Rose, but he would be a nice compliment to James and Davis assuming he stays healthy.
