DeMar DeRozan is one of the best remaining free agents.
The six-time NBA All-Star is still a very active player at age 34.
He is coming off a season in which he appeared in 79 games with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range.
Recently, KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are a team with legitimate interest in acquiring DeRozan.
That being said, Johnson noted the challenge of whether the Lakers could actually make this move happen.
From Johnson’s article on NBC Sports Chicago: “The Lakers’ interest is genuine and the Bulls are open to a potential sign-and-trade, sources confirmed.”
DeMar DeRozan led the NBA in minutes played and fourth-quarter scoring, and as recently as mid-April he emphatically stated, “This is where I want to be.”
So why isn’t he signed and what happened between him and the Bulls?
column @NBCS Chicago: https://t.co/sy9kdIJlYP
— KC Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 2, 2024
Considering the Lakers still have superstars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they are clearly in win-now mode and looking to compete for an NBA championship.
Plus, they’ll need to make the most of James’ (who turns 40 in December) final season.
If they acquire DeRozan, he will be a great scorer.
Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA, January 25, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vazquez – USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vazquez – USA TODAY Sports
In addition to his time with the Bulls, he also played in the league for 15-plus seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors.
He has appeared in 1,110 regular season games and averaged 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 29.6% from three-point range.
His future is one of the biggest storylines remaining this NBA offseason.