The Los Angeles Lakers may have to turn to the trade market if the franchise wants to improve their roster this offseason. During an exclusive conversation with Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney, one Western Conference executive noted that the Lakers could still look to strike a blockbuster deal with the Bulls for either Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan.
“Mo Bamba, he is a guy to look at around the draft,” the exec explained while floating potential Lakers trade options. “They probably will guarantee him even though he is not playing all that much and look to bring in a first-round pick in a trade.
“Max Christie, too, he has been impressive early on, if he can fill in, he has a lot of 3-and-D potential. He could be a trade chip if there is a star available around the draft, you could imagine him and Bamba as part of a package for Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan if the Bulls wanted to go that route.”
LaVine would be the biggest prize for the Lakers and his five-year, $215 million contract reflects his potential upside. The Bulls have been unwilling to trade the two-time All-Star, but it will be worth watching to see if the team looks to move off his $40 million salary ahead of the 2023-24 season.
LaVine still has four seasons remaining on his current deal. The star guard is averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and four assists while shooting 38.4% from long range during 62 starts in 2022-23.
The DeMar DeRozan to Lakers Rumors Won’t Die
“I was hell bent on playing for the Lakers.”
DeMar DeRozan thought for sure he would be rocking a Lakers jersey 👀
— ClutchPoints ()
Few players have been linked more to the Lakers than DeRozan and continue to point back to a bad decision by the Los Angeles front office to trade for Russell Westbrook over signing the star during the 2021 offseason. With Westbrook off the roster, the Lakers can finally turn the page on the disappointing Russ era.
It remains to be seen if the Lakers have enough assets to entice the Bulls to trade DeRozan. The All-Star has admitted on multiple occasions he believed he was joining the Lakers back in 2021.
“I felt like going to the Lakers …read more
Source:: Heavy.com