“Lakers Rumors: Huge DeMar DeRozan Contract Update and Surprising Trade Offers Revealed!”

According to The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers did not offer DeMar DeRozan a deal or propose a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls prior to the star forward joining the Sacramento Kings.

“The Lakers never went beyond expressing a mere interest in DeRozan,” Charania added. “There were no bids or tangible discussions with the Bulls about a sign-and-trade agreement.”

“It was really down to the Kings and Heat as far as DeMar DeRozan’s new home … I’m told the Lakers never went beyond expressing simple interest in DeRozan.”

NBA Insider @ShamsCharania gives us the latest on DeMar DeRozan. pic.twitter.com/F7OUBNMx0Y

— The Rally (@TheRally) July 8, 2024

On Saturday, DeRozan agreed to a three-year, $74 million sign-and-trade with the Kings.

The move not only establishes Sacramento as a real Western Conference contender, but it also removes probably the best available free agent off the market, leaving the Lakers with little to show for their efforts thus far this offseason.

It caps off a disastrous offseason for Los Angeles, which saw the team fail to sign Golden State Warriors free agency Klay Thompson, who signed with another Western Conference contender, the Dallas Mavericks.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers also wanted Jonas Valančiūnas and James Harden in free agency. Valančiūnas joined the Washington Wizards, while Harden re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Los Angeles’ lack of aggressiveness in free agency may end up hurting the team, since it will return basically the same group next season unless any deals or acquisitions occur this summer. In the first round of the playoffs, that roster lost to the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers added some skill in the draft by picking Tennessee standout Dalton Knecht with their first-round pick, but it appears unlikely that a rookie will have a significant impact on the team’s NBA Finals hopes.

Los Angeles could still sign a free agent or two this offseason, but there aren’t many remaining who can make a significant impact next season.