Add DeMar DeRozan to the list of players LeBron James wants the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue in free agency.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, DeRozan is one of the guys James would be willing to take a pay cut to play with.
“I believe there are more than three,” Windhorst stated on the Hoop Collective podcast. “I believe DeMar DeRozan is on that list as well. There may be another one or so.”
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James is willing to accept a price cut to help the Lakers sign James Harden, Klay Thompson, or Jonas Valančiūnas. Harden (Los Angeles Clippers) and Valančiūnas (Washington Wizards) have already signed elsewhere, while Thompson may earn more than the $12.9 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
For the Lakers to have access to their whole non-taxpayer mid-level, James would have to take a pay cut of more than $20 million.
If the Lakers locate a quality veteran willing to accept the $12.9 million mid-level contract, they will most likely look to the trade market to reduce their payroll. Gabe Vincent, who missed nearly all of last season after signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lakers last summer, is a strong possibility for a trade. To complete the deal, the Lakers would almost probably need to attach picks to Vincent’s contract.
Trading D’Angelo Russell is also an option, although he was really productive in his role last season and earns a fair salary of $18.7 million. It’s difficult to imagine the Lakers losing a crucial starter unless it’s for a player of DeRozan’s ability.
DeRozan has spent the last three seasons with the Bulls and is expected to look into other possibilities as Chicago appears to be rebuilding. The future Hall of Famer nearly signed with the Lakers during the 2021 offseason, but his hopes were dashed when the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook.
DeRozan, whose worth was at a low in the league in 2021, had a bit of a comeback in Chicago. He was the franchise’s most consistent player, making the All-Star team twice out of three seasons. Last season, the 34-year-old averaged 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
While there may be teams ready to pay DeRozan more than the mid-level, his options are dwindling. The Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George, and the Orlando Magic agreed to terms with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, eliminating the two best teams with cap room and a need on the wing.
DeRozan has never made it to the NBA Finals, so returning home and concluding his career on a roster containing James and Anthony Davis may entice him into taking a price cut. Otherwise, the Bulls will almost probably need to look into sign-and-trade options.
Leave a Reply