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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Top Priority Free Agents

By Carter Johnson

Dec 13, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball around of Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball around of Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during their game against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during their game against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. DeMar DeRozan

After a few years of mediocrity, DeMar DeRozan is finally blossoming into the player many thought he could be this season.

DeRozan looks the part of the second coming of Vince Carter, averaging career-highs in points per game (23.8), assists per game (4.0), three-point percentage (.322) and free throw percentage (.824) while still giving us highlight reel dunks like this one:

Moreover, he and backcourt partner Kyle Lowry have pushed the oft-ignored Toronto Raptors to the top of the Eastern Conference and have them on the verge of breaking 50 wins for the first time in franchise history with a 48-21 record, good for second place behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.

By this point, you may have asked yourself: why would DeRozan want to leave such a good situation?

The normal veteran wouldn’t want to leave a playoff team to join a reclamation project like the Lakers, but there are multiple factors that make the possibility of a marriage between the two very plausible.

First, allow me to make the cliche “coming home to play for your hometown team” argument. DeRozan is California-born and California-bred, growing up in Compton and even playing his one-and-done collegiate season at USC. Coming back to Southern California and becoming the star player this Lakers team has been searching for may be a dream come true for the 26-year-old.

Second, the Lakers are one of few teams prepared to offer DeRozan the max deal he would warrant if he decided to opt out of his deal with the Raptors. ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported in January that the star forward could stand to make at least $25 million a year in Los Angeles as opposed to the $10 million he would make if he opted in for one more season in Toronto.

If DeRozan should decide to return home to Los Angeles, the Lakers would not only be getting a stud on the perimeter but will also land a player on the verge of stardom that can accelerate their ability to compete in the immediate future.

Next: The League's Best Rim Protector

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