After changing up their roster in the offseason and getting even better in terms of total team production and firepower, the Los Angeles Lakers are the clear favorites to repeat as NBA champions. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still the focal points of the team, but with complementary guys like Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, and Marc Gasol, this team has everything it needs to once again make a deep run in the playoffs.

This does not mean that this team cannot improve. So far this season, the Lakers are one of the top-scoring and offensive teams in the entire NBA, as they have 6 players averaging double-digit scoring numbers per game.

Adding more offensive talent to this team not only gives them more depth in case of injuries, but makes them even more difficult to guard as a result of teams having to deal with a handful of guys who can all score in bunches. This is why the Lakers may not be done yet in terms of adding talent to this roster.

At some point near the NBA trade deadline, expect Los Angeles to make a move for a veteran, proven talent to pair with their experienced core in search of title No. 18. This player they pursue could very well be Pistons’ guard Derrick Rose. 

Being on an expiring contract and being deferred to playing the role of backup to a rookie, the Pistons may be ready to see what they can get for the former NBA MVP on the trade market. He is still talented and can contribute to a championship level team off the bench, which is exactly why the Lakers should pursue him in a trade at some point during the regular season.

Let’s take a look at the trade the Los Angeles Lakers would have to propose in order to land Detroit Pistons star Derrick Rose and bolster their backcourt.