Lakers Trade Rumors: Stars To Target If Moving NBA Draft Pick

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Mar 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) goes to take a free throw against the Atlanta Hawks at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Atlanta 105-97 for their franchise record 50th win in a season. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 26 (8/7/1989)
2016-17 Salary: $9,500,000 (Player Option)
Slash Line: .446/.338/.850
Season Averages: 35.9 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan for quite some time. The Compton, California native has established himself as one of the better shooting guards in the NBA, and has the local ties to Los Angeles county to create the belief that the Lakers will be interested in signing him.

If the Lakers are genuinely interested in acquiring DeRozan and another star via free agency, then a sign-and-trade would be the route follow.

This isn’t a vote of confidence in such a move, but instead an acknowledgement that it’s possible. Toronto would return a Top 3 2016 NBA Draft pick, which would complement the Top 10 selection it receives via the Denver Nuggets.

If this is how the Raptors lose the franchise player, Masai Ujiri would have to call it a long-term win.

As for the Lakers, this would likely hinge on another star free agent verbally committing to the team based on the success of this hypothetical trade. It’s hard to imagine DeRozan being the player who draws players such as Kevin Durant or Al Horford to Los Angeles, but if that’s possible, it’d be worth exploring.

If a second star can’t be acquired, then Los Angeles would be better off signing DeRozan and keeping the Top 3 pick. This is, however, an option.

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