Predicting where 5 heavily rumored targets will land at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline
By Dalton Sell
DeMar DeRozan - Los Angeles Lakers
Back to the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan is another name to keep an eye on. He's set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season and could be someone the Bulls look to shed, especially as rumors have been circling that the two sides are far apart in contract talks, per B/R's Chris Haynes. One team that would make sense for DeRozan is the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Athletic's Sam Amick (Subscription required) reported that the Lakers do indeed have interest in DeRozan, as well as Caruso. Though the latter may be off the table, they could likely get DeRozan if he is someone they have a genuine interest in. Alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, DeRozan could be a fitting piece to form a new Big 3 in Los Angeles.
This wouldn't be the first time the idea of DeRozan playing in Los Angeles has popped up, as he was reportedly recruited by LeBron himself in 2021. Being from Los Angeles, DeRozan described the idea of playing in LA as a "hell of an opportunity" while speaking with Shams Charania. There seems to have been interest from both sides, so perhaps they could revisit that.
DeRozan is on the books for $28 million this season, so he would not be a cheap target, but perhaps the Lakers could center a deal around D'Angelo Russell and salary filler if they believe the forward, who has averaged 20-plus points in every season for the last 11 years, is worth it.