Derrick Rose

After it appeared that he may be out of the NBA after his significant knee injuries, Derrick Rose has revitalized his career and still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Over his past two seasons, Rose has averaged 18.1 points, 5.0 assists and has shot 48.6% from the floor and 33.8% from three-point range in 101 games. 

While he is not the player he once was, Derrick Rose can still contribute at a high-level and can make a difference for the Lakers off-the-bench. Dennis Schroder will likely be the team’s starting point guard on open day, with LeBron James moving back to his traditional position at small-forward, giving Rose the ability to make a difference in the second-unit. He is more than capable of leading the first-unit and with his ability to score, Rose coming off of the bench would give the Lakers yet another offensive weapon. 

While the Pistons may want to keep Derrick Rose as the veteran guard on their roster, the Lakers could package Kyle Kuzma and one or two draft picks in order to acquire the former NBA MVP. With Anthony Davis signing long-term with the Lakers and LeBron James not showing any signs of inching closer to retirement, the Lakers may look to get the most out of a Kyle Kuzma oriented trade now. 

Bringing in Derrick Rose in a title defense season makes perfect sense for the Lakers because he is in the final year of his contract and would not be a burden on the Lakers’ payroll moving forward. Guard play is extremely important in today’s game and having two reliable and veteran guys in Rose and Schroder allows the Lakers to be comfortable with LeBron and Davis not on the court. 

Both guys are more than capable of being leaders on the court and with the roster the Lakers already have, Derrick Rose would not have to be someone he isn’t. He could play at his own pace and not have to worry about pushing himself to the point of injury. Derrick Rose on the Lakers has been something that has been rumored for a while now and could easily happen in a Kyle Kuzma oriented trade.