One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls this summer.
In a June 1 article called “1 Trade Idea for Every Team Not In the 2023 NBA Finals,” Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell, Mo Bamba, Max Christie and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick to the Bulls for DeRozan.
“DeRozan gives the Lakers a third All-Star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, putting Los Angeles back into true championship contention,” Swartz wrote.
DeRozan took part in meetings at LeBron James’ house in the summer of 2021. The six-time All-Star thought he would sign with the Lakers, but things changed after Los Angeles acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
After the Lakers traded for Westbrook, DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs. The small forward actually told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports in November 2021 that he “felt like going to the Lakers was a done deal” in the summer of 2021.
“I felt like going to the Lakers was a done deal and that we were going to figure it out. I was going to come home,” DeRozan told Haynes. “The business side of things just didn’t work out. A couple of things didn’t align. It didn’t work out. It’s just part of the business, part of the game.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
DeRozan has a close relationship with James and Anthony Davis. The California native is open to playing for the Lakers if the Bulls decide to rebuild this summer, sources told NBA Analysis Network. DeRozan is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He averaged 24.5 points this season while shooting 50.4% from the floor, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 87.2% from the free-throw line.
The Bulls need a point guard since Lonzo Ball is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season, so Russell heading to Chicago and DeRozan going to Los Angeles makes sense for both clubs.
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