One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls in a massive blockbuster trade. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Lakers, Bulls, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Miami Heat Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Grayson Allen
Chicago Bulls Receive: Kyle Lowry, Jalen Hood-Schifino, MarJon Beauchamp, Max Christie
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: PJ Tucker, 2028 Second-Round Pick (CHI)
“DeRozan brings a necessary skill set to the team’s roster, as he is elite from the midrange area, and can create his own shot effectively in isolation situations,” Tran wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Though it is fair to say that DeRozan has limitations as a No. 1 option, he could potentially thrive as a No. 3 option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
DeRozan took part in meetings at LeBron James’ house in the summer of 2021. The six-time NBA All-Star thought he would sign with the Lakers, but things changed after Los Angeles acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
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 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.”
DeRozan has a close relationship with LeBron and Anthony Davis. The California native is open to playing for the Lakers if the Bulls decide to rebuild and break up the team’s core during the 2023-24 season, sources told NBA Analysis Network. DeRozan is one of the best scorers in the NBA. He averaged 24.5 points last season while shooting 50.4% from the floor, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 87.2% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers could start Austin Reaves, DeRozan, Rui Hachimura, LeBron and Davis if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire DeRozan, who has career NBA averages of 21.0 points with the Toronto Raptors, Spurs and Bulls.
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