Report: Lakers Considered Another Big Offseason Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers did their best to rebuild their roster in the offseason. They traded for Russell Westbrook and got rid of three players to get him. Russ is the best superstar to join the Lakers at the moment and he will have a big role with the team. Let’s not forget that he will make the Big 3 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Well, here comes the shocker… The Lakers were interested in another offseason trade. The name won’t really shock you.
LA was linked to several veterans in the offseason. Pretty much every player made sense, and the team wanted to give DeMar DeRozan a chance. Yes, they really considered trading for him.
Lakers wanted to pull out another offseason trade
The Athletic reported that LA wanted the California native.
“One of those potential moves involved DeMar DeRozan, a Compton, Calif., native and former USC star. He took part in two such meetings at LeBron James’ home and had separate ongoing phone conversations with James. His conversations with the Lakers co-stars had gone well, with the then-soon-to-be free agent discussing all the ways in which he thought this new star trio might work.”
The trade didn’t happen. DeRozan didn’t join the Lakers and signed with the Chicago Bulls. The San Antonio Spurs found the right trade partner for their superstar. They got Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a protected first-round pick, and two second-round picks.
It’s interesting to note that DeRozan met with LeBron on two occasions. The superstar was convinced that he was a priority for LeBron’s team, but they didn’t sign him. Los Angeles was focused on Lillard and Beal, however they couldn’t trade for these two because their teams had high asking prices. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka went on with a deal for Buddy Hield and shut down the possibility to get DeRozan through a sign-and-trade. This happened before they traded for Broddie.
Los Angeles would have been an excellent destination for DeRozan. They have DeRozan, Ariza, Nunn, Melo, and a few others. Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo are back, so LA looks great on the floor.